MOE Releases Academic Calendar 2020/2021 – Warns Against Tuition Hike; Recruits 1,631 Professional Teachers

In an effort to provide quality and professional education for our upcoming generation without discrimination, the Ministry of Education says it is seeking qualified, competent and reliable applicants to fill vacancies created by the retirement of teachers who have served the Ministry and Republic of Liberia diligently and professionally. This exercise is targeting approximately 1,631 professionals also based on passion, skills and commitment.

According to a press advisory from the MOE dated October 25, 2020, the recruitment exercise will begin on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 and continues to Friday November 6, 2020.

“The recruitment process is targeting teachers in the following categories: holders of “C” Certificate along with WAEC Certificate or its Equivalent; holders of “B” along with WAEC Certificate or its Equivalent; holders of “A” Certificate along with WAEC Certificate or its Equivalent; and holders of Master’s or Bachelor degree in the Sciences and Education or its equivalent,” the MOE stated, adding, applicants should submit a letter of application and an updated recent curriculum vitae (CV).

All interested and qualified applicants dwelling in the fifteen counties as well as qualified volunteer teachers are encouraged to submit their applications as well.

2020/2021 Academic Calendar of Event 

Meanwhile, the MOE stated that in order to stabilize and regulate the Liberian educational system for academic 2020/2021, authorities have officially released the academic calendar for the entire school year which runs from December 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.

Activities leading to the reopening of schools for academic 2020/2021 include Registration for both Old and New students which begins November 1 and ends November 27, 2020; Convening of Teacher Professional Development workshop from November 18 to November 21, 2020; Orientation is set for November 26 and ends November 27, 2020 and all parents are encouraged to fully participate in all school activities; Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings should be held before the reopening of schools between November 1 to November 30, 2020; while all schools are required to officially resume classes on December 1, 2020. The MOE advised that if for any reason a school is unable to begin classes on December 1, 2020, the Ministry of Education should be informed one month in advance.

According to the MOE, at least five instructional days should be used for assessment, period test/exam.

Other MOE-sanctioned school activities include Christmas Break which begins from December 23, 2020 and ends on January 3, 2021, with classes resuming on January 4, 2021 officially from the Christmas break.

All schools are required to obtain a valid Operational permit on or before November 13, 2020.  The process includes school registration which begins at the District Education Office (DEO). Permit processing fees are payable through Mobile Money Account number 0886327573.

The Permit regulation contains details of processes and requirements for school registration. Late fees will be charged in consonance with the School permit registration, while all schools are required to have valid Business Registration and Article of Incorporation.

“If a school is under an organization that has an Article of Incorporation, the school will use the Tax Identification Number (TIN) of the organization during the payment at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA),” the MOE stated, noting that all Operational permits are renewable annually.

According to the MOE, procedure for Operational Permit fees payment include direct transfer payment of taxes from one account to another i.e from the taxpayer’s account to the Revenue Transitory Account at any Commercial Bank or Orange/Lonestar at any LRA Collectorate.

The MOE further advises that the 2020/2021 Operational permit should be displayed on the front bulletin of every institution always, and that the school Principal or Administrator should present the Revenue receipt based on request by the Ministry of Education representative

“The Ministry seeks strong partnership with all education stakeholders and appreciates the support being given through the provision of quality education of Liberian children through compliance, cooperation, collaboration and respect by all,” the MOE press advisory stated.

No Arbitrary Tuition Hike

Relatedly, in order to standardize and improve the educational system of the Republic of Liberia for quality and affordable education for all without discrimination, the Ministry of Education is seriously warning against the arbitrary hike in school fees and tuition across the country as the country prepares for the reopening of schools for the new academic year 2020/2021.

The Ministry of Education has requested all schools to submit a request for approval from the Ministry of Education for any upward adjustment in the fees or tuition using the last academic year as a baseline. Such requests must be accompanied by justification with tangible evidence.

“All schools throughout the Republic of Liberia must make available the samples of their uniforms at their various campuses for voluntary purchase by students or parents but not compulsory. The purchase of uniforms and apparels must be strictly on a voluntary basis. No school should mandate parents or students to purchase their items from their campuses otherwise risk being levied sale taxes and all Duty-free privileges revoked,” the MOE warned.

The MOE further requested all Private schools to reveal all fees and tuition including Graduation fees from the beginning of the Academic year to avoid further embarrassment.

“Henceforth, following the review and assessment of the school’s proposal for increment, the Ministry of Education will approve or decline through an official written communication to your institution for notification. The Ministry insists that Private schools will be severely penalized for unjustifiable increment if the additional fees do not commensurate with service(s) provided by said institution,” the MOE stated, and called on the public to report or call 1416 for any would-be violator of these regulations mentioned above.

The Ministry of Education is therefore calling on all education stakeholders, students and parents for their fullest compliance and full involvement, the release noted.