By By The People Newspaper
Monrovia — Starting 2026/2027, parents will not pay any registration fees for children in public schools from kindergarten to Grade 6 anywhere in Liberia.
The Ministry of Education announced Wednesday that the new policy, supported by the EXCEL Project and school grants, is meant to cut costs for families and get more children into class. “Simply take your child to school,” the Ministry said. Any public school that asks for a registration fee should be reported to the Ministry through a channel that will be announced soon. “No registration fee. Every child in school.”
The policy means no tuition, no registration, and no other fees for K-6 pupils in public schools. Education Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah called it “absolutely free” education at those levels. Officials say the goal is to reduce the financial burden on families and help children enroll, attend, and stay in school.
The announcement comes after advocacy in the Senate. Sinoe County Senator Augustine Chie, who proposed a bill for free kindergarten and primary education, praised the move.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of accessible education in Liberia,” Chie said. “I commend the Ministry of Education for this bold and commendable step toward expanding access to education for every Liberian child.” Chief says his bill is still before the Senate.
With free education now promised, the focus shifts to enforcement. The Ministry will have to make sure schools comply, grants are delivered on time, and parents know how to report violations. If it works, this could be the biggest push for free basic education in Liberia in years.
