Liberian Government Removes Registration Fees for Public Primary School Pupils
Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah announced that children enrolling in public schools from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will not be required to pay registration fees for the 2026/2027 academic year, as part of the government’s effort to make primary education more accessible to all children, especially those from families facing financial difficulties.
MONROVIA, Liberia — Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah has announced that children enrolling in public schools from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will not be required to pay registration fees for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Speaking during a regular press briefing hosted by the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Dr. Jallah said the decision is part of the government’s effort to make primary education more accessible to all children, especially those from families facing financial difficulties.
She explained that registration costs can discourage some parents and guardians from sending their children to school. By ending the fee, the government hopes to remove one of the barriers that keeps children out of classrooms.
Dr. Jallah assured school authorities that the new policy will not leave public schools without support. She said the government will provide funding through the Liberia EXCEL Project, the Equitable Funding Formula and the national Education Investment Strategy. The funding is expected to help schools cover basic operational needs while easing pressure on parents.
The Education Minister, however, warned public school administrators against introducing other unapproved payments in place of registration fees.
“To ensure that the policy is respected across the country, the Ministry is strengthening its monitoring system,” she said.
As part of the process, the Ministry of Education is assigning 160 monitoring and evaluation interns to work with District Education Officers, County Education Officers and other education stakeholders. Their role will include observing how the policy is being applied and reporting cases of noncompliance.
Dr. Jallah also used the briefing to remind private and public school operators that every school must receive official approval from the Ministry of Education before operating. She encouraged operators to use the Ministry’s online permitting platform, available at **permit.moe.gov.lr**, to process school authorization matters.
Parents and guardians have been urged to enroll their children in school ahead of the new academic year. The Ministry said anyone asked to pay a registration fee for a child entering Kindergarten through Grade 6 at a public school should report the matter or request clarification by calling 077-721-2197 or 088-656-5264.
The Ministry is calling on the public, school leaders and community members to share the information widely so that families across Liberia understand their rights under the new education policy.
