Ministry of Education Maintains Graduation Fees and Announces Latest Updates

Press Briefing at MICAT, Monrovia, Liberia – August 6, 2024-

Ministry of Education Maintains Graduation Fees and Announces Latest Updates

The Ministry of Education is pleased to announce significant updates aimed at enhancing Liberia’s educational landscape. These updates include the enforcement of graduation fees for public, private, or faith-based schools, registration dates, approved annual fees, and new initiatives to improve educational outcomes.

1. Graduation Fees

In compliance with established guidelines and stakeholder consultations, the Ministry of Education has maintained the graduation fees as follows:

– Public or Government Schools: 5,000 LD

– Private or Faith-Based Schools:

– No more than $100.00 US

Any school found in violation will be subjected to stringent penalties, ranging from fines to the revocation of operational permits or closure.

2. Registration and Resumption Dates for the 2024-2025 Academic Year:

The registration process for all schools across the Republic of Liberia commenced on August 1, 2024, and will continue until August 31, 2024.

Classes are officially scheduled to resume on September 2, 2024, marking the beginning of a promising new school year for education stakeholders throughout the country.

3. Annual Public School Registration Fees:

In our continued effort to provide quality education while maintaining affordability, the Ministry has upheld the annual fees for public schools as follows:

– Early Childhood: 3,500 LD

– Grades 1-6: 1,000 LD

– Grades 7-9: 2,000 LD

– Grades 10-12: 3,000 LD

These fees ensure our education system remains accessible to all while providing necessary resources for a conducive learning environment.

All registration fees will remain with the schools and be used directly for their operational needs. No school fees are to be transferred to the Ministry via mobile money payment for all government schools.

However, strict measures will be implemented to ensure the proper use of these funds. The assessment of flexibility fees charged to students during the national examination period is a violation of the Ministry of Education regulations.

4. Nationwide Enrollment Drive Campaign:

As part of our commitment to executing the ARREST agenda underscored in Pillar 3:

Human Capacity Development, Section 3.1.2, which specifies the plan to increase enrollment in primary school by 20% and reduce the number of out-of-school children by 40%, the Ministry is set to launch a nationwide enrollment drive campaign themed “Back to My Classroom” on August 9, 2024, at 12:00 PM.

This initiative will initially cover seven counties identified to have low school enrollment: Rivercess, River Gee, Grand Gedeh, and Sinoe counties. This initiative is slated to be an annual event, with plans to progressively expand to all counties.

A national enrollment drive committee consisting of education stakeholders has been convened to execute this exercise annually. The campaign aims to ensure that every child in Liberia has access to educational opportunities.

5. Operational Permits for Schools

While an overhaul of the school permitting process is set to commence shortly, the Ministry will maintain the current process.

The annual operational permit fee to be paid per school is based on the tuition fee charged per student. This means one student’s tuition fee is equivalent to the annual fee due. The Department of Instruction, under the leadership of the Deputy Minister of Instruction, is the only department responsible for executing the permitting process.

6. National Youth Service Program

On August 1, 2024, the Ministry of Education convened a Technical Working Group to work towards the implementation of a national youth service program.

This program aims to foster values of service, responsibility, patriotism, and a deep sense of national pride and duty among our youth. Focused on the growth and development of our nation’s youth, with an emphasis on nationalism and civic responsibility, this initiative provides them with the skills and opportunities necessary for their future success.

This initiative is being led by Student Personnel Services under the leadership of Assistant Minister Sona Sesay.

7. Profiling of Volunteer Teachers and Staff:

In our commitment to enhancing education across our public school system, the Ministry of Education is set to commence a nationwide volunteer teachers and staff profiling exercise.

We are committed to ensuring educators in our classrooms are adequately credentialed and have the requisite skills and abilities to provide instruction and education services. This exercise is set to commence from August 12 to August 31.

There will be a registration process and verification of credentials. The outcome of this exercise will conclude with a nationwide registry of volunteer teachers and staff across the public school system.

Plans for Phase II, regarding skill assessment, will commence following the profiling exercise.

A detailed schedule of events will be made available to the public shortly.

Conclusion:

The Ministry of Education remains steadfast in its mission to professionalize and improve the education system in Liberia. These initiatives reflect our dedication to providing quality education for all and fostering the growth and development of our youth. We look forward to a successful academic year and the positive impact these changes will bring to our education system.

The Ministry of Education is committed to delivering inclusive and equitable quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning opportunities throughout Liberia.

Our mission is to create a conducive learning environment that fosters excellence and innovation.

The public is encouraged to call the Ministry of Education’s hotline at #1416 to convey any information of concern.

For more factual and credible information regarding the Ministry of Education, please contact:

J. Maxime Bleetahn, Director of Communications & Public Relations at 0777-212197 or 0886-565-264

Website: moeliberia.com, http://moeliberia.com

Facebook page: Ministry of Education-Liberia