MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Education Minister Jarso Jallah is calling for a sustainable, credible, and nationally owned data system to guide education policy and planning.

Minister Jallah made the comments on Wednesday, in Monrovia, at the launch of “The Data Challenge: Strengthening Education Systems Through Knowledge Exchange”.

She emphasized that Liberia’s recent Education Management Information System- EMIS self-assessment marks a critical turning point in the country’s education reform journey.

The MOE Boss extended special recognition to the African Union delegation for their technical expertise and regional insights.

Minister Jarso Jallah noted that their engagement will help Liberia benchmark its reforms against continental best practices while remaining grounded in local realities.

At the same time, the Head of the African Union’s Pan African Institute for Education for Development, Noubatour Adoumtar, called on the Liberian government to implement the AU-endorsed recommendation of allocating 0.15% of the national budget to statistical activities.

It includes the development of the Education Management Information System (EMIS).

Speaking at the Liberia National EMIS Policy Dialogue on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Adoumtar emphasized that strategic investment in data systems is essential for building a resilient and evidence-based education sector.

He noted that while some countries dedicate up to one percent of their Ministry of Education budgets to EMIS, Liberia must take concrete steps to meet continental benchmarks and fulfill commitments under the AU Agenda 2063.

The dialogue, held in Monrovia and organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with AU-IPED and partners such as GPE, IDRC, UNICEF, and UNESCO-IGBA, marks a key milestone in Liberia’s education reform efforts.

It aims at validating Liberia’s EMIS self-assessment, identifying gaps, and co-developing a realistic and costed National EMIS Action Plan aligned with KICS-MS norms.