Monrovia, Liberia – Human Rights Watch says illegal school fees are pushing thousands of Liberian children out of classrooms despite the government’s promise of free education. A new report by Human Rights Watch has exposed what it describes as a deepening education crisis in Liberia, revealing that registration fees and other school-related costs are denying thousands of children access to public education across the country.
The 75-page report, titled “Without Education, There Will Be Nothing”: School Fees and Other Barriers to Education in Liberia, says many children are being forced to stay out of school, delay enrollment, or completely drop out because their parents cannot afford mandatory fees charged by public schools.
Although Liberian law guarantees free and compulsory education from grades one through nine, the report found that families are still being compelled to pay registration and other fees at nearly every level of schooling. “The Liberian government has made important commitments to free and compulsory education, but school fees continue to keep children out of the classroom,” said Jo Becker. “Removing these fees would be a crucial step to expand access to education and improve children’s futures.”
Human Rights Watch conducted the investigation between November 2025 and January 2026, visiting 21 schools and interviewing parents, teachers, administrators, and students in Montserrado, Margibi, Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties. One 14-year-old boy told investigators he dropped out of school to help his mother sell in the market because his parents could no longer afford school costs. “Right now, I’m not in school because my parents can’t afford to send me,” the boy said. “I really want to go back.”
The report paints a troubling picture of Liberia’s education system, noting that roughly one-third of school-age children between ages 3 and 17 have never attended school, while only 17 percent complete grade nine.
According to the findings, poverty remains a major factor, with many parents reportedly taking loans, skipping meals, and making painful sacrifices just to keep their children in classrooms.
Human Rights Watch also highlighted serious challenges affecting the quality of education, including overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of trained teachers, poor infrastructure, and dependence on volunteer teachers who often work for years without pay. “In some schools, classes of 80 to 100 students are common,” the report stated.
The organization further criticized Liberia’s low public investment in education, noting that the country’s 2026 education budget represents only about 11 percent of national spending and 2.73 percent of GDP—below regional and international standards. Despite the concerns, the report acknowledged ongoing reforms by the Liberian government, including the Excellence in Learning in Liberia (EXCEL) project supported by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education.
Human Rights Watch is urging the government to immediately abolish registration fees in public schools, expand school grants, increase funding for education, recruit and pay more trained teachers, and improve school infrastructure nationwide. The organization said ensuring free and quality public education would help reduce poverty, strengthen Liberia’s human capital, and create better opportunities for future generations.
“Liberia has a clear opportunity to build on existing reforms and remove the financial barriers that keep so many children out of school,” Becker said. “Ensuring free, quality public education is one of the most effective investments the country can make.”
Reported by: Prince Saah
