Nimba Students Spotlight Education Gaps -As They Join National Girls Summit

By: Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr.

MONROVIA – A delegation of 11 girls from Zekeh High School and Varmie Memorial High School in Nimba County District #9 arrived in Monrovia this week, not only to participate in the National Girls Summit 2025 but also to amplify the urgent challenges facing rural schools.

Their participation, made possible through a partnership between Representative Taa Wongbe and Teach For Liberia, underscores the growing push to ensure girls from underserved communities gain access to national platforms and leadership-building opportunities.

For many of the students, the trip marked their first time traveling outside Nimba County an experience they described as both daunting and empowering. While the summit offers inspiration, the girls say the journey also highlighted the stark contrast between education in the capital and that in rural areas.

During a courtesy visit to Rep. Wongbe at the Capitol Building on Thursday, November 21, 2025, the students detailed the systemic obstacles affecting their schools. They cited deteriorated road networks, the absence of basic instructional materials such as chalkboards, a lack of computer teachers, no access to printers, and the need for improved facilities including auditoriums and bathrooms.

Rep. Wongbe, known for his advocacy on educational equity, assured the girls that immediate steps would be taken to address several of the issues raised. He encouraged them to remain committed to their studies, emphasizing that their concerns reflect the broader realities of rural education.

“You are the future of this country,” he told them. “Your voice matters, and your dreams are valid.”

The students also toured the House of Representatives Chamber, where they met the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and other lawmakers. Many said the visit broadened their understanding of national governance and reinforced their ambition to participate in leadership spaces.

“It was eye-opening,” one student said. “Seeing where laws are made made me feel like I could be part of that process one day.”

Rep. Wongbe commended Teach For Liberia for its role in supporting underserved schools and reaffirmed his commitment to initiatives that uplift girls across Nimba County.

“This is not just about one summit,” he noted. “It’s about creating pathways for capable female leaders who will shape Liberia’s future.”

As the National Girls Summit 2025 unfolds, the participation of these Nimba students serves as a compelling reminder: meaningful transformation in girls’ leadership begins with addressing the educational inequalities they continue to face back home.