Africa Development Conference 2025

Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah serves as the Minister of Education for the Republic of Liberia and Liberia’s Representative on the Executive Board of UNESCO. In this pivotal role, she is championing her country’s efforts on the global stage, advocating for policies that advance education, equity, and sustainable development. Appointed by President Joseph Boakai and confirmed by the Liberian Senate on February 6, 2024, Dr. Jallah is at the forefront of transforming Liberia’s education system and elevating its standing within the international community.

A passionate advocate for inclusive education and the empowerment of girls, Dr. Jallah has devoted her career to strengthening education as a fundamental pillar of national development. Her commitment to creating opportunities for all students, particularly those from marginalized and underserved communities, has been a driving force behind her rise to leadership. Dr. Jallah believes that empowering girls through education is crucial not only for their individual success but also for the progress of society as a whole, and she has worked tirelessly to advance this cause throughout her career.

Before assuming her ministerial position, Dr. Jallah held senior academic and administrative roles in the United States. As Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Division of Student Success, and adjunct faculty at Delaware State University, she played a key role in fostering student achievement and academic excellence. Her journey in education began as a coordinator and counselor for the federal TRiO Program – Talent Search at the Community College of Rhode Island, where she supported the educational aspirations of disadvantaged students. She later joined the University of Rhode Island where she served in academic affairs, as well as an adjunct faculty member, and was appointed to the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, leading initiatives to advance gender equity campus-wide.

Dr. Jallah’s nearly 24-year career in education, public service, and policy development has made her a true champion of education. She previously served as Deputy Director General for Training and Manpower Development at the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), where she was instrumental in building national capacity through education and training. As Country Coordinator for the Anglophone West African Regional Public Sector Management Training Program, she played a key role in fostering public sector leadership and development across the region.

In addition to her public service roles, Dr. Jallah has been a vital contributor to educational reform in Liberia. As a consultant to the Ministry of Education, she conducted a comprehensive review of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, laying the foundation for an improved and responsive vocational education structure that addresses the skills gap in Liberia’s youth. Her efforts have been instrumental in shaping policies that are designed to equip students with practical skills necessary for economic empowerment. Dr. Jallah’s exceptional leadership and her unwavering commitment to inclusive, quality education continue to drive transformative change, positioning Liberia as a leader in educational reform on both the national and global stages. She is a 2020 recipient of the American Council on Education-Women’s Network Delaware “Rising Star” award for her commitment and contributions to the field of higher education, and also a recipient of numerous U.S. higher education institutional leadership and service delivery awards.