By: Kongoi Gborkorquellie
ZOTA DISTRICT – Several parents of Early Childhood students in public schools across Zota District are appealing to the Liberian government, through the Ministry of Education, to reduce registration fees from L$3,500 to at least L$1,500.
The Early Childhood division under the Ministry of Education includes Nursery, Kindergarten I, and Kindergarten II, serving children between the ages of 3 and 5.
Currently, the L$3,500 fee—the highest charged in public schools nationwide—covers registration, identification cards, and instructional materials.
By comparison, lower basic (elementary) students pay L$100, junior secondary (junior high) students pay L$2,000, and senior secondary (senior high) students pay L$3,000.
Parents, most of whom rely on subsistence farming, say the current fee is a heavy burden, particularly for families with three to five children enrolled at the Early Childhood Education level.
They stressed that education is a right for every child and urged the Ministry of Education to consider the plight of struggling rural families.
They further noted that without a reduction in fees, the government’s promise of quality and inclusive education will remain far from reality.
The parents are therefore calling for immediate intervention, pointing out that the academic year has already begun and many children remain at home because their parents cannot afford the cost.
