MoE embraces technology in registration processes

The Ministry of Education (MoE) says it embraces the use of technology to enhance registration processes and data collection at Basic and Secondary Education.

Through a release issued Monday, 13 August in Monrovia, the Education Ministry says its current administration is prioritizing the use of technology to improve processes and data across the Education Sector.

The Ministry therefore informs all Public High Schools (10th to 12th grade) within the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications locations across the country to collect school fees via a customized LonestarCell/MTN Mobile Money platform, the release says.

It notes that the system for school fees payments of 10th to 12th graders becomes effective as of Thursday, 9 August. As such, the Ministry says high school administrators have been instructed to institute a mechanism to guide parents and students to use the platform effectively.

“The method of payment is currently available on the [LonestarCell/MTN] Mobile Money shortcode system *156#,” the release reveals. It adds that each school has a confirmed legacy code provided by the Ministry of Education which represents the unique identifier when completing payments online.

Meanwhile, the Ministry says all schools located outside of mobile coverage area will maintain the traditional on-campus fees collection process. The Ministry indicates that it continues to engage with providers to extend the service across all schools and ensure a uniform process of fees collections.

“The Public High School Mobile Money payment method will also allow the Ministry access to real-time statistics on registered student data. The system will capture school name, district, county, students’ names, grade level, gender, section, which are relevant data for effective decision making,” the release adds.

The Ministry states that it is also important to note that, there will be no additional transaction fee charged to students for using the Public High School Fee collection Mobile Money system.

Additionally, the Ministry mandates all schools including private, community, and faith-based to accept both prevailing legal tenders of the nation, the Liberian dollar, and the United States dollar without preference.

It says schools are encouraged to display fees in both currencies on their information sheet or in the case where prices are shown in United States dollars only, students and parents must be allowed to pay the equivalent in Liberian dollars.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has advised school authorities, students, parents, teachers and the public to call 1416 on any matter of concern regarding schools in the country.It says in closing that classes for 2018/2019 school year begin 3 September.–Press release