MONROVIA, Liberia – June 15, 2026 – The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced the strict enforcement of approved graduation fees and regulations for the 2025/2026 academic year, warning public and private schools across the country against imposing unauthorized charges on students and parents.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the Ministry reminded all educational institutions that graduation-related fees must remain within the limits approved in the 2025/2026 Academic Calendar and that no additional fees will be tolerated.
According to the Ministry, the approved graduation fees are set at LRD 5,000 for public Grade 12 students and USD 100 or its Liberian dollar equivalent for private Grade 12 students. For Grades 6 and 9, public schools are authorized to charge LRD 3,500, while private schools may collect LRD 6,000. Public Kindergarten (K2) students are required to pay LRD 2,500, while private K2 students may be charged LRD 5,000.
The Ministry emphasized that schools are not permitted to demand, impose, or collect graduation fees exceeding these approved amounts.
Additionally, the Ministry directed that graduation fees can only be collected after the official release of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results. It stressed that no school is authorized to collect graduation fees before the examination results are announced.
The MoE also clarified that graduation ceremonies for Grades 6 and 9 are only permissible when those grades represent the terminal level of the institution.
On graduation attire, the Ministry stated that the official dress for graduation exercises remains the respective school uniform. Schools that already possess graduation gowns may allow students to use them, but they are prohibited from charging any additional fees for gown rentals, purchases, or related attire.
The Ministry encouraged parents and guardians to report schools that violate these regulations by demanding unauthorized fees or imposing requirements inconsistent with the Ministry’s directives.
It further warned that all schools must fully comply with the established regulations, adding that reported violations will be investigated and schools found in breach of the rules will face appropriate administrative sanctions.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns from parents about increasing graduation costs and additional charges often imposed by some schools during graduation season.
Source: Ministry of Education.
