By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Monrovia — Liberia has taken a bold step toward addressing the shortage of classroom furniture in schools with the launch of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s “One Chair, One Child” initiative.
On Wednesday, October 1, the Director-General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, accompanied by Youth and Sports Minister Cole Bangalu, visited the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) to inspect the first batch of chairs produced under the program.
The initiative, aimed at ensuring that every Liberian child has access to a proper seat for learning, is being funded through salary savings from government officials who failed to declare their assets.
In February 2025, the CSA announced that over US$104,000 collected from these savings had been allocated to support the project under President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Speaking during the inspection, Dr. Joekai said the program reflects a new culture of accountability and reinvestment in the country’s future.
“The One Chair, One Child initiative is about giving every child a seat to learn and grow. It’s a step towards better classrooms and brighter futures,” he stated.
The production of the chairs is being carried out by Liberian artisans and trainees at the MVTC under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Once completed, the chairs will be officially handed over to the Civil Service Agency, which will then present them to President Boakai for onward delivery to the Ministry of Education. The Ministry will oversee nationwide distribution to schools most in need.
Youth and Sports Minister Jeror Cole Bangalu noted that the project is not only tackling classroom challenges but also boosting local skills development. “This is more than just school furniture. It is about empowering young Liberians with vocational skills, creating jobs, and keeping resources within our economy,” he said.
The initiative is seen as a symbol of hope and unity in Liberia’s education sector. It directly supports the Education and Human Capital Development pillar of the President’s ARREST Agenda, while also reinforcing government’s commitment to ethical governance and transparency.
Once fully rolled out, the One Chair, One Child project is expected to ease classroom overcrowding and improve the learning environment, ensuring that no Liberian student is left without a proper seat in class.
