By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
/Bong
Liberia’s former Ambassador to America, Mexico, and Canada, Jeremiah Sulunteh, has revealed that education is universally heralded as the great equalizer, capable of dismantling the shackles of poverty and forging pathways to prosperity.
Yet, for millions of students in Liberia, and similarly for many minority students in under-served communities across the United States, this promise remains elusive, overshadowed by systemic neglect and entrenched inequalities.
The global landscape of education reveals a troubling dichotomy. While technological and economic advancements propel some societies forward, students in Liberia are trapped in a cycle of deprivation due to inadequate infrastructure, scarce resources, and a lack of systemic support.
Similarly, in the United States, a nation of immense wealth, minority students in low-income areas grapple with underfunded schools, restricted access to advanced coursework, and persistent socioeconomic hurdles.
The former envoy emphasized that the parallels between these two contexts are striking, revealing a shared narrative of exclusion-but they also illuminate a powerful opportunity for transformation.
“Education is not merely a fundamental human right; it is the bedrock of sustainable development and the key to unleashing human potential. Globally, over 250 million children and youth remain out of school, according to UNESCO, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the heaviest burden,” he stressed.
In Liberia, decades of civil conflict, economic instability, and chronic under-investment have ravaged the education system, leaving behind a generation ill-equipped for the demands of the modern world.
The United States, despite its enormous resources, is not immune to this crisis. Systemic racism, economic disparity, and policy shortcomings have perpetuated an education system that often fails its most vulnerable populations, minority students in under-served communities.
These challenges align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030. Today, we stand at a crossroads, compelled to confront this global crisis with urgency and resolve.
Ambassador Sulunteh noted that the tale of the educational realities of Liberia’s crisis was revealed in the UNICEF reports which stated that Liberia has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children globally.
Only 54% of students reach grade six, and in rural areas, dropout rates soar to 15.6%.
For girls, the odds are worst, just 40% remain in school past the age of 15, often pushed out by poverty or early marriage.
“Classrooms are battlegrounds. 100 students cram into spaces meant for 30. More teachers lack formal training, while 60% of schools lack clean drinking water,” Sulunteh added.
Ambassador Sulunteh emphasized that the decades of conflict and the Ebola crisis left scars in the educational system of the Country, adding today, Liberia’s adult literacy rate is 48%, among the world’s lowest. In rural communities, only 25% of third graders can read a sentence.
The Liberian educator further added that in the United States, it is also reported that inequity persists. Schools serving minority students receive less funding annually, compared with those serving white students.
The consequences could be fewer qualified teachers, outdated textbooks, and limited access to advanced placement courses.
“Black and Hispanic graduation rates are lower, such as 79% and 81%, respectively, trailing white students at 89%. Black students are 3 times more likely to face suspensions.
It is reported that during COVID-19, the digital divide left 25% of Black and Hispanic households struggling to connect to remote learning,” he stressed.
He said in both Liberia and the United States the problem is not students, it’s the systems.
The same resilience shines through– children walking miles to school in Liberia, or Black teens in Mississippi striving for AP Calculus against the odds.
Additionally, he said the consequences of educational neglect include larger class sizes, outdated textbooks, underpaid teachers, and, ultimately, reduced chances of success.
It has also been reported that schools serving predominantly Black and low-income students, suffer from crumbling infrastructure and a lack of resources that make it nearly impossible for students to compete with their wealthier peers.
In Liberia, the story is similar, though the challenges are even more severe. Many rural schools operate with inadequate facilities, some without desks, chairs, and textbooks.
The Ministry of Education highlights that in some counties, up to 60% of teachers have no formal training, leaving students with little hope of receiving a quality education.
This is not just an education crisis; this is a generational catastrophe.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the obstacles facing students in Liberia and the U.S. share troubling parallels, rooted in under-investment, systemic neglect, and inequality. Let’s examine some of the most urgent challenges.
Ambassador Sulunteh stressed that in Liberia, the government spends just 2.8% of its GDP on education (UNESCO), half the recommended minimum, adding that families or parents struggle with the costs of uniforms, books, and transportation for their children’s education in a nation where 50% of the citizens live in poverty.
The former envoy said about 85% of university and college students are unemployed and rely on parents and family members for support.
In the U.S. college debt averages $30,000 per student (Federal Reserve). Minority students juggle jobs and studies, while complex aid processes leave millions in Pell Grants unclaimed.
In Liberia about 60% of rural teachers lack training (Global Giving). Salaries average $50/month, and classrooms cram 50+ students per instructor.
In the U.S., schools serving black and hispanic students are likely to have unqualified teachers (Learning Policy Institute).
In Liberia, according to the Digital Desert only 8% of the population has internet; 7% of rural schools have electricity (UNICEF). And more than half of university lecturers cannot turn on a computer.
While in the U.S. 25% of black/hispanic households lack broadband, 10 points higher than white families (Pew Research). COVID exposed this divide, leaving millions behind in remote learning.
Commenting on cultural barriers in Liberia’s educational system, Ambassador Jeremiah Sulunteh noted that 38% of girls marry by 18 (UNICEF), cutting education short.
However, he suggested recommendations for change in addressing these barriers demands more than rhetoric, it requires bold, actionable strategies.
The Liberian former Ambassador to America, Mexico, and Canada underscored the need for the government to invest in Teacher Training and Retention.
For Liberia, raising salaries for secondary teachers to at least $200 monthly, as well as, offering continuous training, and incentives for rural postings can elevate teacher’s quality and retention.
For the USA, diversifying the teaching workforce and retaining talent in minority districts are key.
Research from the National Education Association shows minority students thrive with same-race teachers.
Scholarships, loan forgiveness, and mentoring programs can attract and retain diverse educators.
Ambassador Sulunteh made the statement when he served as a keynote speaker at the National Institutes for Historically Underserved Students 2025 Convening at Tougalo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi, USA on May 2, 2025.
He spoke on the theme: “Unlocking Academic Opportunities for Underserved Students in Liberia.”
