This report highlights key issues surrounding the Liberia Education Advancement Program (LEAP), a public-private partnership (PPP) in which Bridge International Academies (BIA now NewGlobe) is a major provider. The report found the following: Lack of evidence-based expansion and scale-up of the LEAP program; Limited transparency, participation, and accountability regarding decision-making, availability of information and finances related to LEAP; Lack of respect for the rule of law; Conflict of interest; Unequal playing field for LEAP providers - Preferential treatment of BIA; Fundraising and sustainability issues; and Unfulfilled verbal promises to schools and communities.

This report shows once again that PPPs are not a sustainable solution to address education challenges. It reiterates the importance for States to prioritise the strengthening of public education over its delegation to commercial actors whose goal is more profit-making than realising the right to education for all.

Acknowledgements

This research report is produced by the Coalition for Transparency and Accountability in Education (COTAE), headed by the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL).