President Boakai Reaffirms National Commitment to Return 250,000 Children to the Classroom.

President Boakai Reaffirms National Commitment to Return 250,000 Children to the Classroom

His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that out-of-school children are identified, enrolled, supported, retained, and empowered to thrive through the Back to My Classroom (BTMC) Campaign.

Launched in 2024, BTMC seeks to return 250,000 out-of-school children to education by 2029, beginning with 80,000 children across seven priority counties in 2026.

Speaking at the BTMC National Steering Committee Presidential Midterm Review, President Boakai emphasized that bringing children back to school is a shared national responsibility requiring sustained leadership from Government, county authorities, communities, families, schools, civil society, development partners, and other stakeholders. He also officially endorsed the rollout of the strengthened BTMC model to six additional priority counties, following the establishment of the first county structure in Gbarpolu.

Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah reaffirmed Government’s determination to translate the President’s vision into measurable action, stressing that successful reintegration goes beyond enrollment. Poverty, distance, disability, lack of birth documentation, inadequate facilities, and other barriers require a coordinated, child-centered response.

The meeting brought together representatives of Education, Health, Gender, Children and Social Protection, Local Government, Finance and Development Planning, LISGIS, UNICEF, development partners, county authorities and civil society, reflecting BTMC’s integrated model of bringing different services and responsibilities together around the same child.

Since its launch, the Campaign has strengthened national coordination, incorporated lessons from the Grand Bassa pilot, established the first County Steering Committee and Secretariat in Gbarpolu, and advanced systems for coordinated referrals, child-level tracking, retention and accountability.

250,000 children. 250,000 dreams. One national commitment.

Every child belongs in the classroom. Together, Liberia will bring them home.

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