| School-leaving age |
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193. In addition, the Government over the years has adopted policies and guidelines, including the Education Law created in 1912, which made primary education free and compulsory. The new Education Law of 3 June 1973 included provision for junior high school education. […]
194. Section 3.1 of the Education Law states that: "Every parent, guardian or other persons having control of any child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall cause such child to attend a recognized public or private school regularly during the entire time the school is in session, provided such parents or guardians have the means to meet the minimum requirements of the school ... The law on completely free education at the elementary and junior high school levels shall be left dormant during the next five years."
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| Minimum age of employment |
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63. Other statutory definitions provided are:
- Working age: "The age of working under the labour law is not less than 16 years; work is defined as employment of services for fixed wages or salaries over a period or output"; […]
241. The major work activity of children is petty trading, which is not traditionally considered as child labour in Liberia. These activities are considered as assistance to their parents, or guardians who are not financially able to maintain and support a family and educate the children.
242. However, activities of children who are considered "working children" may be classified as street trade and domestic work.
243. It is not a practice in Liberia for children to be employed and paid for services rendered. However, even though studies have shown that 23.9 per cent of children trade or work for parents as a part of the children's domestic duties, the Government does not see this as harmful, but considers it as a part of discipline to make the children thrifty, self-sufficient and responsible citizens.
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| Minimum age for marriage |
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63. Other statutory definitions provided are:
- Marriageable ages: the New Domestic Relations Law (chap. 2, sect. 2.2) states that, "Marriageable age for male is set at 21 and for females at 18 years. Under the Revised Administrative Law Governing the Hinterland, marriageable age is set at 15 years"; […]
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| Minimum age for criminal responsibility |
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63. Other statutory definitions provided are:
- Age of criminal responsibility: the age of criminal responsibility under the New Penal Code, (chap. 4, sect. 4.1) is set at 16 years. Furthermore, under this law a person below 18 years is considered "a minor" and not a "child". The legal and general definition of the word "minor" relates to legal competence or prohibition against certain acts until a greater age is attained. The terminology, minor, cannot be synonymous to that of a child, as the law imputes reasoning to a minor rather than a child.
236. […] The Penal Law, chapter 4.1, states that "a person is not criminally responsible for his behavior when he is less than sixteen years of age. In any prosecution for an offense, the lack of criminal responsibility by reason of immaturity is an affirmative defense. A person under sixteen years of age who commits an act, which would be an offense if committed, by a person over eighteen, shall be subject to provision of Juvenile Court Procedure".
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