The Ministry of Education has moved to stop schools from imposing excessive graduation fees on families already under financial pressure.

In a June 15, 2026, public notice, the Ministry said that all public and private schools in Liberia must adhere to the approved graduation fee limits for the 2025/2026 academic year. 

The warning targets schools using graduation season to demand extra payments from parents for gowns, rentals, ceremonies, packages, and other graduation-related charges.

Approved graduation fees are:
Public Grade 12: L$5,000
Private Grade 12: US$100 or the Liberian dollar equivalent
Public Grades 6 and 9: L$3,500 each
Private Grades 6 and 9: L$6,000 each
Public Kindergarten K2: L$2,500
Private Kindergarten K2: L$5,000

The Education Ministry also said that schools must not collect graduation fees before the WASSCE results are released. 

This rule matters because some families pay graduation charges before knowing whether their children passed.

The notice also limits graduation exercises for Grades 6 and 9 to schools where those grades are the institution's final levels. 

It further states that school uniforms remain the official graduation attire. 

Schools with gowns already available may use them, but they must not charge parents extra for gowns, rentals, purchases, or related clothing.

The broader context is clear. Graduation has become a financial burden for many Liberian families. 

Some schools treat it as a revenue-generating event rather than an academic milestone. 

The Ministry’s order seeks to protect parents from inflated charges and force schools to stay within approved limits.

Parents and guardians are being urged to report any school demanding unauthorized fees. 

The Ministry says it will investigate violations and take administrative action against schools in breach of the regulations.