The Ministry of Education (MOE) has launched an awareness campaign to reduce graduation fees for prospective graduating seniors across the country.
The move aims to significantly lower graduation fees for private, faith-based, and public schools from $200 to $100, representing a 50 percent reduction.
Many private and faith-based schools across the country have been charging $200 for graduation fees, causing concern among students and parents facing economic hardships.
The high cost of graduation fees has been a barrier for many families, especially in a country where the economic situation is already challenging.
In an official release on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education, quoting J. Maxine Bleethan, Director for the Division of Communications and Public Relations, stated that the reduction in graduation fees would help ease the financial burdens on both students and parents.
“Education is a necessity and we must ensure no child is left behind,” emphasized Bleethan.
Bleethan also commended some school administrators who have already started reducing their graduation fees in accordance with the ministry’s announcement.
He mentioned Life International School and Zion Grace, which have reduced their fees from $200 to $100 and $150 to $100, respectively. This action by the MOE demonstrates its commitment to bolstering the country’s stance on higher education.
Former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf once described Liberia’s education system as massive, yet it faces numerous challenges such as a shortage of teachers, under-qualified instructors, poor teaching performance, low learning outcomes, limited resources, and inadequate infrastructure.
Given these challenges, the measures taken by the MOE are a step in the right direction.
The state of education in Liberia is marked by significant room for improvement. According to UNICEF research, Liberia has one of the world’s highest levels of out-of-school children.
The research further disclosed that over a third of preschoolers have access to early childhood learning programs, and only 54 percent of children complete primary education.
This underscores the importance of making education more accessible and affordable for all.
Bleethan urged other institutions to follow the example of their fellow schools and consider reducing graduation fees.
He stressed that the need for decreased graduation fees will not only alleviate financial burdens on parents and students but also serve as motivation for prospective seniors and children who aspire to higher education.
The MOE’s initiative to reduce graduation fees is a pivotal step towards ensuring that economic hardship does not impede educational attainment.
By making graduation ceremonies more affordable, the ministry is fostering a more inclusive and supportive educational environment, encouraging more students to complete their education and pursue their dreams.
By: Blesset D. Kpenkennie
