L$3M Education Boost for Maryland Schools

Senator James P. Biney has launched a 10-year education support program designed to assist students, schools and financially challenged families across Maryland County.

The initiative, being implemented through the Senator James Biney Education Foundation, began with approximately L$3 million in financial assistance, 75 cartons of copybooks and 300,000 school bags intended for distribution to schools and students across the county’s four districts.

The program, launched Tuesday, September 8, 2026, is designed as a long-term intervention rather than a one-time contribution, with plans to provide financial assistance, school supplies, scholarships and other forms of support to students and institutions facing educational challenges.

The first phase targeted Pleebo High School, Soloken Central High School, New Pleebo Elementary and Junior High School and Boniken Central High School.

Pleebo High School and Soloken Central High School each received L$200,000, while New Pleebo Elementary and Junior High School received L$100,000. Boniken Central High School received L$80,000.

Presenting the assistance on behalf of Senator Biney’s Maryland County office, County Coordinator Badio Blecon said the initiative was established to help students whose education is being threatened by financial hardship.

Blecon said many families across the county struggle to meet school fees and purchase basic educational materials, adding that Senator Biney believes poverty should not prevent children from attending or completing school.

“The Senator’s interest is to see students acquire better education,” Blecon said.

He explained that the program would focus on helping vulnerable students remain in school, participate fully in academic activities and improve their prospects of completing their education.

According to Blecon, the foundation also plans to introduce scholarship opportunities for students studying both in Liberia and abroad, with beneficiaries to be identified based on financial need and academic potential.

He emphasized that the program was humanitarian and not political, saying assistance would be provided according to need rather than political affiliation.

The initiative will cover students in Harper, Pleebo, Karluway and Barrobo districts, with priority given to learners struggling to afford tuition, books, uniforms and other essential school materials.

The funds were formally presented to Emmanuel Toe, chairman of the Biney Education Foundation and a former Maryland County education officer.

Toe said the initiative followed discussions he had with Senator Biney in 2025 about the educational challenges confronting students and schools across Maryland County.

He said those discussions highlighted shortages of textbooks and classroom furniture, inadequate teaching staff and the inability of some parents to meet school-related expenses.

Drawing on his experience in the education sector, Toe said the challenges facing schools extend beyond tuition, with students, parents, teachers and administrators struggling with a range of financial and institutional constraints.

He disclosed that the foundation intends to eventually reach more than 200 schools, including government and private institutions, as well as university students.

Toe said the foundation would work with school authorities and community representatives to identify beneficiaries and ensure that assistance reaches those most in need.

He urged parents and guardians to identify children requiring support and encouraged school administrators to provide accurate information about their institutions’ needs.

Toe also called on beneficiaries and school authorities to use the assistance responsibly and transparently.

At Pleebo High School, Vice Principal for Student Affairs Samuel Odewode received the L$200,000 on behalf of the administration.

Odewode thanked Senator Biney for the support, noting that the school had previously benefited from scholarships and other assistance from the senator.

He described the latest contribution as timely amid rising operational costs and growing demands on schools and families.

Odewode pledged that the funds would be used for their intended purpose and appealed for continued assistance to students across Maryland County.

He said many learners continue to require help with tuition, uniforms, books, transportation and other basic educational needs.

At Soloken Central High School, Principal Gray Collins said the L$200,000 would help the institution address some of its immediate needs, including broken armchairs, classroom repairs and other administrative challenges.

Collins said inadequate furniture affects students’ ability to concentrate and creates additional pressure on teachers and school administrators.

He thanked the foundation for the assistance and urged it to maintain its support for schools and students throughout the county.

New Pleebo Elementary and Junior High School received L$100,000, with school representative Rev. Boleyn expressing appreciation for the contribution.

He said the institution had rarely received direct financial assistance of such nature and that the funds would give the administration greater flexibility to respond to students’ needs and purchase essential supplies.

Rev. Boleyn also appealed for continued support for schools requiring assistance with classroom construction, furniture, teaching materials and student welfare programs.

At Boniken Central High School, Principal Neufville received L$80,000 on behalf of the school.

While welcoming the contribution, Neufville said the institution continues to face major challenges, including a shortage of computers, teachers’ housing and reliable internet connectivity.

He said improved internet access would enable teachers and administrators to communicate more effectively with education authorities, access learning resources and participate in professional development programs.

The principal also said the absence of teachers’ housing makes it difficult to attract and retain qualified instructors, particularly those assigned from outside the community.

He appealed to Toe to communicate the school’s concerns to Senator Biney as the foundation expands its intervention.

Parents and education stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, saying the rising cost of school fees, uniforms, books and other supplies continues to place significant pressure on families, particularly those in rural communities.

Some parents said financial difficulties can force students to miss classes, delay enrollment or drop out of school, expressing hope that the program would help reduce those pressures and keep more children in school.

Education stakeholders have also called for close coordination among the foundation, school administrations, parent-teacher associations and local authorities to ensure the program produces sustainable results.

The Biney Education Foundation said future phases would expand the distribution of financial assistance and educational materials while introducing scholarship opportunities and possible support for school infrastructure and technology.

Chairman Toe described the initiative as a long-term investment in Maryland County’s young people and urged beneficiaries to take their education seriously.

The program is expected to run for approximately 10 years, providing sustained support to students and schools across the county.

Organizers said the ultimate goal is to reduce financial barriers to education and give more young Liberians in Maryland County the opportunity to remain in school, acquire skills and contribute to the development of their communities and Liberia.