MONROVIA – The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)-Liberia, has launched a Joint Enforcement Initiative aimed at strengthening regulatory and tax compliance targeting private and faith-based schools across Montserrado County and parts of Margibi County.
The exercise covers all 26 educational districts in Montserrado County, as well as the Marshall and Farmington educational districts in Margibi County, and forms part of ongoing efforts to promote accountability, improve compliance with statutory requirements, and ensure that educational institutions operate in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Under the initiative, a joint team of officials from the LRA, MOE, and WAEC-Liberia is conducting inspections and compliance verification exercises at schools to validate payments related to school permits, employee wage withholding taxes, and rental withholding taxes for the period January 2022, through the current 2026 tax year.
The exercise is also intended to ensure that schools maintain valid permits and supporting documentation as required under existing education and tax regulations.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Daniel J. C. Hayes, Enforcement Supervisor of the Government and Non-For-Profit Division of the Liberia Revenue Authority and head of the enforcement team, said the exercise is designed to strengthen compliance while supporting national development objectives.
“This initiative is intended to ensure that schools operate within the framework of the law and meet their statutory obligations. It will strengthen accountability, improve compliance, and support government’s efforts to mobilize domestic revenue for national development,” Hayes stated.
He emphasized that the exercise is not solely focused on enforcement but also serves as an opportunity to educate school administrators and proprietors on their legal and regulatory responsibilities while encouraging institutions to regularize any outstanding compliance issues.
The Joint Enforcement Initiative which is a regular enforcement measure reflecting a broader commitment to strengthening oversight within the education sector and ensuring that schools contribute fairly to national development through compliance with established regulations.
The initiative is also expected to contribute significantly to strengthening education sector governance, improving regulatory compliance, and reinforcing adherence to legal and administrative standards across Liberia’s private education system.
