MONROVIA —The Ministry of Education, led by Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, has officially launched the distribution of school health and hygiene kits targeting 10,000 vulnerable students across Liberia.
By Francis G. Boayue
The initiative aims to address the often-overlooked barriers to education, specifically the lack of access to basic sanitary supplies that frequently forces students—particularly adolescent girls—to miss school.
Speaking at the launch on Monday, Minister Jallah emphasized that the quality of education is inextricably linked to the physical well-being of the student.
“Learning depends on principles which include health and hygiene; when these are compromised, education is interrupted,” Dr. Jallah stated.
The Minister highlighted the documented impact of menstrual hygiene challenges, noting that the lack of support leads to repeated absences. Missing several days each month, she argued, causes students to fall behind, creating a major barrier to girls’ education in Liberia.
“The school hygiene kits distribution exercise is the Ministry of Education’s response to these realities,” Minister Jallah added. “It is designed to support both boys and girls, keeping them healthy, present, and able to learn consistently. It is my pleasing duty to announce that 10,000 students in vulnerable communities will receive these kits, which include sanitary pads for girls and essential hygiene materials for boys.”
The launch received strong backing from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection. Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie noted that the distribution aligns perfectly with the National Gender Policy and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Minister Horace-Kollie further commended the Ministry of Education for bridging the gap in reducing infection risks and improving school attendance.
“This program reinforces Liberia’s collective push for the provision of free sanitary pads in schools, recognizing menstrual health as a fundamental issue of dignity, equity, and educational continuity,” the Gender Minister said.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also weighed in, framing the initiative as more than just a donation. Mady Biaye, UNFPA Country Director, described the day as a declaration of value.
“By launching this exercise, the Ministry is sending a powerful message to every child in Liberia that their health matters, their dignity matters, and their education must not be interrupted by the natural processes of growing up,” Biaye said.
He further noted that while education is the bedrock of potential, biological realities have served as silent barriers for far too long. “At UNFPA, our mandate is centered on delivering a world where every young person’s potential is fulfilled,” he added, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to removing obstacles that keep girls out of the classroom.
