By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
Latim Dathong II, a Liberian educator, owner of the Starz University of Science and Technology and former Deputy Education Minister for Administration has expressed strong support for the Government of Liberia’s EXCEL program.
Describing it as a critical intervention that addresses the root causes of the country’s long-standing education challenges and warning that Liberia cannot afford for the initiative to fail.
Speaking on the importance of early learning on his official Facebook page, Dathong II noted that efforts to improve higher education, workforce readiness, and national productivity will remain ineffective if foundational learning continues to be ignored.
According to him, EXCEL is significant because it focuses on how children learn in their earliest years, reading, writing, and basic mathematics, from Early Childhood education through Grade Six.“For too long, Liberia has tried to fix learning gaps too late,” he said.
“We have focused on outcomes without first strengthening the foundation. EXCEL is different because it prioritizes learning, not just enrollment or exam results.”
The EXCEL program by the government is designed to strengthen teaching methods, provide direct classroom support for teachers, improve school environments, and expand access to quality education across all 15 counties, including rural and underserved communities. If effectively implemented, Dathong II said, the program has the potential to transform Liberia’s education system and shape the country’s future human capital.
He also highlighted the distinction between EXCEL and the earlier IRISE program. While IRISE concentrated on secondary education by improving access, infrastructure, and student retention at the junior and senior high school levels, EXCEL focuses on foundational learning at the primary level.“You cannot build a strong secondary or tertiary education system on a weak foundation,” the educator explained.
“IRISE helped students stay in school. EXCEL helps students actually learn from the beginning.”
The Starz University CEO has, however, cautioned that financial investment alone will not guarantee success adding that weak implementation, teacher absenteeism, political interference, poor maintenance of infrastructure, and lack of community engagement could undermine the program’s objectives.
He further indicated that the success of EXCEL must be treated as a national responsibility involving government, educators, parents, communities, and development partners. All stakeholders, the educator stressed, must demand discipline, accountability, and measurable results.
“If we get EXCEL right, Liberia wins,” the educator said. “If we get it wrong, we will be having the same conversations about failing schools and unprepared graduates ten years from now.”
Meanwhile , Dathong II has reaffirmed his support for the program, emphasizing that backing EXCEL is not about claiming perfection, but about recognizing that Liberia cannot afford another missed opportunity to fix its education system at the foundation.
