By: Jerromie S. Walters
Liberia’s Information Minister, Ledgerhood Julius Rennie, has frowned on what he sees as unrealistic charges, or hacks in graduation fees, by private high schools across the country.
The government’s spokesman, while addressing the Ministry’s regular Thursday press briefing, characterized the action by the different institutions as an attempt to gain undeserving profit from the students.
According to Minister Rennie, graduation fees from private schools toward graduating students should be charged on an honest and realistic basis, rather than as they have been over the years.
“There are difficulties around the world, so there is a need for all private schools to understand the difficulties parents face across Liberia”, he said.
He empathized with parents who, he believes, are struggling to ensure that their children acquire proper education and further admonished the various learning institutions to reconsider their decision.
The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism boss further admitted that the government lacks legal rights to regulate private school graduation fees but extended a passionate appeal to different institutions.
At the same time, Minister Rennie hailed candidates who recently sat for the West African Senior School Certificate Exams (WASSCE) across Liberia.
According to him, the government of Liberia, under the supervision of President George M. Weah, appreciates the students’ commitment throughout the exam period.
Minister Ledgerhood Rennie further announced that WASSCE results will be announced in August of this year, but noted that irregularities by students that were earlier pronounced through WASSCE Boss are under vestigation and in a concluding state.
At times like these every year, they talk about how institutions often charge their outgoing 12th graders for graduation fees, an action that sometimes leads to students’ inability to graduate because of the requested amounts, which are often around USD 150 and above.
Last year, the government was highly criticized after the Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Education, Latim Dathong, said the government lacks legal rights to determine private school graduation fees. However, though a lot of Liberia felt otherwise, it’s the sad reality.
