Liberia’s Education Crisis: Mandatory Fees Keep Children Out of School.

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In Liberia, registration fees and other related costs are reportedly preventing a high percentage of children from accessing education. Recent reports issued by NGOs and international organizations show that mandatory fees are creating a financial burden for families, forcing many to keep their children out of school. The international community is urging the government to adopt urgent strategies to address the issue.

In 2026, several organizations, including Human Rights Watch and UNICEF, issued reports highlighting the current education crisis in Liberia. According to statistics, the African country has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world. For example, one third of school-age children have never attended school, while only 17% complete their education. Although education from grade 1 to 9 is compulsory by law, many associated costs, such as registration fees, are often unaffordable by families, especially in rural areas. As a consequence, many children are forced to leave school early or never attend at all, which often leads to child labor and other violations of fundamental rights. In addition, some children begin school later than expected. One woman interviewed by Human Rights Watch stated that her children "started (school) late because I had no money.” As a consequence, 60% of students are four or more years older than the official age for their grade.

Schools rarely meet families' needs. In fact, many schools send children home if their parents have not paid the required fees, allowing them to return only after payment is made. Reports also show that many schools charge significantly more than the official registration fees set by Liberia's Ministry of Education. As 50% of librarians live in poverty, most children work before or after school to help pay their fees, while others leave school entirely to start working. This crisis has also contributed to increased privatisation. Today, 60% of schools in Liberia are private, while public schools face serious challenges related to education quality, as they are frequently overcrowded, underfunded, and dependent on volunteer or low-paid teachers.

UNICEF highlighted that Liberia’s current education crisis has been worsened by the country’s 14-year civil war, combined with nationwide school closures caused by the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In addition to leaving thousands of children out of school, the conflict destroyed about 60% of school compounds, including water and sanitation facilities, while also forcing many teachers to flee the country in search of employment abroad. This has further increased the burden on the education system and negatively affected the quality of learning.

The Liberian government is reportedly seeking strategies to reverse this negative trend through funding projects and providing additional financial support. In particular, the Excellence in Learning in Liberia (EXCEL) project, funded by a US$60 million World Bank loan and a US$28.7 million contribution from the Global Partnership for Education, aims to increase access to high-quality education. However, Human Rights Watch is urging the government to adopt further policies. Specifically, the NGO is calling for the elimination of public school registration fees, the expansion and maintenance of school grants, raising education funding in accordance with global standards, and greater prioritization of education from early childhood through secondary education.

The international community continues to advocate for access to quality education in Liberia. UNICEF is working closely with Liberian authorities to assess progress and set priorities. In particular, a strong call to action was made during the Joint End-Year Review and Planning Meeting between UNICEF and the Government of Liberia. The meeting stressed the need for coordinated and data-driven approaches, increased domestic funding, and strategies capable of having a significant impact on children’s lives. Children’s rights advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, Jo Becker, commented on the situation as follows: “Liberia has a clear opportunity to build on existing reforms and remove the financial barriers that keep so many children out of school, [...] Ensuring free, quality public education is one of the most effective investments the country can make.”

written by Ludovica Muncibì