No reports on Kanda school in Monrovia could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an official of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission ( Liberia) in Washington, DC, stated that Liberia follows the American system of education (11 May 1999). He stated that pre-school starts in kindergarten, and then grade one to grade twelve after which students either go to universities or colleges, depending on their grades.

According to The Europa World Year Book 1998,

Primary and secondary education are available free of charge, except for an annual registration fee of about L$10. Education is officially compulsory for nine years, between seven years of age and lasts for six years. Secondary education, beginning at 13 years of age, lasts for a further six years, divided into two cycles of three years each. In 1986 the total enrolment at primary schools was equivalent to only 35% of children in the relevant age-group; in 1984 the comparable ratio for secondary schools was 17%. In late 1995 total enrolment of school-age children was estimated at only 25% (Europa 1998, 2106).

For detailed information on the structure of the education system please consult Liberia: A Country Study pages 127-134.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Catholic Justice and Peace Commission ( Liberia) in Washington, DC. 11 May 1999. Telephone interview with official.

The Europa World Year Book 1998. 1998. 39th ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

Liberia: A Country Study. September 1984. Edited by Harold D. Nelson. Washington, DC: Secretary of the Army.

Africa Confidential [London]. January 1997 - December 1999. Vols. 37-38. Nos. 1-25.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 1997-1999. Vols. 34-35. Nos. 1-12.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1998-January 1999. Monthly. Vols. 44-45.

West Africa [London]. January 1998-January 1999. Weekly.

Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, World Network Connection (WNC)

Unsuccessful attempts to reach oral sources.