-40% of Liberian primary school students more than 3 years older than age
The Liberian Education Ministry said on Wednesday that there will be no disruption in the current school year, as “approximately 40 percent of Liberian primary school students are more than three years older than the appropriate age for their grade.”
The Ministry directed all principals, District Education Officers, and County Education Officers to ensure that all schools remain in session until the beginning of the Christmas vacation, December 22.
The Education Ministry’s statement comes in the wake of political tensions surrounding the yet to be concluded October 10, 2017 national elections.
“After years of civil war, Liberia’s education system has been in a state of crisis that was later made worse by the Ebola epidemic. Overage enrollment remains a significant challenge at all levels of education,” a press release from the Ministry said.
“Liberian children do not need any additional disruption that can negatively impact their ability to be productive citizens in the future,” the Education Ministry said.