The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced a strict enforcement of approved graduation fees and regulations for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The Ministry meanwhile, warned public and private schools against imposing unauthorized charges on students and parents.
Education Minister, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, said, all graduation-related activities must strictly comply with provisions outlined in the Ministry’s 2025/2026 Academic Calendar.
Madam Jallah said, schools are prohibited from demanding or collecting fees beyond the officially approved amount, or else, they will face the law.
The approved graduation fee for public Grade 12 students is set at L$5,000, while private Grade 12 institutions are authorized to charge a maximum of US$100 or its equivalent in Liberian dollars.
The Ministry further disclosed that public schools graduating students from Grades 6 and 9 may charge L$3,500 per student, while private institutions are permitted to collect up to L$6,000 for each graduating student in those categories.
For Kindergarten (K2) students, the approved graduation fee for public schools has been fixed at L$2,500, while private institutions may charge up to L$5,000.
Education authorities warned that no school is authorized to collect graduation fees before the official release of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.
The Ministry noted that such fees can only be collected after the examination results have been formally released, “because only that will achieve the required grade points will be allowed to graduate.”
The Ministry also clarified that graduation ceremonies for Grades 6 and 9 will only be permitted in institutions where those grades represent the terminal level of education.
Schools that continue beyond those levels are not authorized to conduct graduation exercises for students in those classes.
In an effort to ease financial pressure on families, the Ministry announced that the official graduation attire for all students will be their regular school uniforms.
Officials said, the measure is intended to reduce unnecessary expenses often associated with graduation activities.
While schools that already possess graduation gowns may permit students to use them during ceremonies, the Ministry emphasized that no additional fees should be charged for gown rentals, purchases, or any other graduation-related attire.
The Ministry has also called on parents and guardians to remain vigilant and report any institution that demands fees beyond the approved limits or imposes requirements that contradict Ministry regulations.
Authorities warned that all reports of violations will be thoroughly investigated and that administrative sanctions will be imposed on schools found in breach of the established guidelines.
The latest directive comes as schools prepare for end-of-year graduation activities.
The Ministry said, the move is to promote transparency, accountability, and affordability within the education sector while protecting parents and guardians from excessive and unauthorized financial burdens.
