LNP to Enforce Ban on Street Parades on Gala Days, Graduations and WASSCE Celebration, Ministry of Education Announces
June 19, 2025
By staff writer
Monrovia: The Liberia National Police is set to enforce Ban placed on street parades during Schools gala days, graduations and WASSCE celebration across the country.
Making the pronouncement at a joint press conference held at the Ministry of Education, the Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah said the collaborative effort stems from a growing concern over student safety, public disturbance, and repeated violations of the Ministry’s 2024/2025 Academic Calendar directive.
“The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Liberia National Police (LNP) jointly inform the general public, school administrators, students, and parents that effective immediately, strict enforcement of the regulation banning street parades during school gala day programs is underway across all counties”. Dr. Jallah stated.
According to Min Jallah, over the years, unsanctioned and chaotic street parades often involving minors have led to preventable injuries and threatened public order. She noted that despite consistent reminders, schools continue to organize such unauthorized activities.
She said schools can organize and celebrate activities in a safe and controlled environments such as sports pitches, town halls, stadiums, or other large open areas or venues which she said will help ensure that students can mark important milestones without exposure to traffic hazards or disorderly conduct.
“This is not a complete ban on celebratory activities. Schools are encouraged to organize parades and celebrations in safe, controlled environments such as sports pitches, town halls, stadiums, or other large open areas. These venues help ensure that students can mark important milestones without exposure to traffic hazards or disorderly conduct”.
She added “In accordance with provisions under the Liberian Constitution (Article 15), the Penal Law (Sections 17.3 and 17.4), and the Liberia Education Reform Act of 2011, empower the Government to take necessary actions in the interest of public safety, student protection, and lawful conduct”.
She said as part of the ban, the Liberia National Police will deploy officers to monitor and prevent street parades associated with gala day celebrations in all 15 counties.
Any school, organization, or group found in violation will be held accountable in accordance with national law and the Ministry’s regulation subject to legal penalties outlined in the
Ministry of Education Annual Academic Calendar.
According to the Minister, effective immediately, graduation and WASSCE completion celebrations will also be monitored and regulated by the LNP.
“The police will not tolerate reckless or dangerous behaviors, including students sitting atop vehicles, dancing on moving cars, or engaging in conduct that endangers lives”.
The Ministry and the LNP emphasized that the measures are not intended to stifle celebration but to ensure that students can mark academic milestones in a safe, respectful, and organized manner.
“We call on all school administrators, parents, and students to cooperate fully and uphold the standards of safety and discipline expected within the education system. Our priority remains the protection of every child and the promotion of a secure learning environment for all, let us work together to uphold law and order while safeguarding the future of our nation and our children”.
