This brief presents key insights from the school leadership country mapping conducted in Liberia by the Ministry of Education and the ACSL, in collaboration with Education Development Center (EDC) and other partners under the Leaders in Teaching initiative. It examines the school leadership ecosystem across four areas: policy and systems, professional practice and development, research and evidence, and communication, advocacy, and sector coordination, with gender equality and social inclusion as cross-cutting priorities.
The mapping draws on a review of legislation, policies, and programmes; an analysis of 29 research publications from 2010 to 2025; consultations with 36 stakeholders; and a national validation workshop. Findings highlight a substantial education policy foundation but reveal the absence of a dedicated school leadership policy, professional standards framework, and integrated professional development pathway. Training opportunities remain fragmented and donor-dependent, decision-making is highly centralised, coordination mechanisms are weak, and research evidence is insufficiently used to inform policy and practice. Women also remain underrepresented in school leadership positions.
To address these challenges, the brief outlines six priorities: establishing a national school leadership policy and standards framework; integrating professional development; developing a competency-based training curriculum; institutionalising a national research agenda; strengthening sector coordination; and translating gender equality and inclusion commitments into measurable actions.
A phased implementation roadmap provides practical milestones for building a coherent, inclusive, and sustainable school leadership system that strengthens school management, improves teaching quality, and supports better learning outcomes across Liberia.