Yesterday, officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, and UNICEF convened a high-level meeting in the port city of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. The meeting aimed to strengthen inter-agency collaboration for a more holistic and coordinated response to pressing national issues affecting children.
The discussion followed the formal launch of the Whole-of-Government Initiative. Back to My Classroom Enrollment Drive and Birth Registration Campaign, which took place in Buchanan on Monday, June 30. The meeting brought together Mr. Gilles Fagninou,
UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gender Minister, Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, Education Minister, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah and UNICEF Country Representative, Andy Brooks.
The joint county-level intervention is spearheaded by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, with support from key partners including UNICEF, Save the Children, Street Child, and Educate Her.
The objectives of the campaign are to increase school enrollment, especially among out-of-school children; and to enforce age-appropriate placement by facilitating nationwide birth registration for children aged 0–12 across all counties.
This campaign is a clear demonstration of the government’s collective commitment to tackling critical child protection and education issues through a unified and inclusive approach. It aims to build a direct and sustainable pathway, from the streets, to safe spaces, to classrooms.
Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie emphasized: “Our determination to enroll the most vulnerable children, particularly those living in street situations and on the fringes of society, into classrooms is a bold step toward restoring their dignity and securing their future. This initiative reflects the Government’s unwavering dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for every child.”
The Buchanan meeting reaffirmed all parties’ commitment to accelerating joint efforts and ensuring the successful implementation of the campaign. Stakeholders expressed strong willingness to deepen collaboration and translate this shared vision into concrete, measurable impact for Liberia’s children.
The synergy between the Street Children Project response and the School Enrollment Drive is not only strategic, it is essential. The streets must never be the final destination for any Liberian child.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has reaffirmed its commitment to the collaborative intervention and extends sincere appreciation to all who have worked tirelessly to achieve this milestone.
