By Aruna Goepogui
Monrovia Liberia– The Business Manager of Paynesville Seventh-Day Adventist High School, Lee Payekpala, has described as false and misleading allegations that the institution is charging students US$150 as graduation fee.
Speaking to this station on the school’s campus in Paynesville, Payekpala said the school’s preliminary and final clearance fees amount to US$100, in line with the Government of Liberia’s prescribed graduation fee.
According to him, the school administration, students, and parents agreed on an additional US$60 package for students who wish to receive special graduation items, emphasizing the package is optional and is not a requirement for graduation.
He explained that students who choose to purchase the package will make payments directly to the vendor and not to the school administration, stating the package includes items such as bags, medals, souvenir materials, and other graduation-related items.
The business Manager stressed that the package will not prevent any qualified student from participating in the graduation ceremony.
At the same time, Payekpala further clarified that the US$100 official graduation fee covers documentation, the souvenir program, letters of recommendation, a transcript, diploma and diploma cover, rather than the optional package.
He maintained that the school will not charge students beyond the graduation fees mandated by the Government of Liberia, stressing that all students who successfully pass the national examinations will be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony.