By Rolinda J. Kantan
MONROVIA — For some students at the National Islamic Girls Academy (NIGA), marriage does not necessarily mark the end of their education. Several young girls continue attending classes daily, attempting to balance their academic pursuits with the demanding responsibilities of married life.
Sixteen-year-old Mariam T. Jalloh, an 11th-grade student at NIGA, is currently preparing for marriage while continuing her studies. She explains that her choice is guided by her Muslim faith and her strong bond with her partner.
“I myself made the decision to get married,” Mariam shared. “The guy and I like each other, and the love that we’re sharing also led to this step of marriage.”
Although Mariam is below Liberia’s legal age of consent for marriage, she remains determined to finish her high school education. She noted that her fiancé has pledged to fund her tuition and fully support her academic goals. Under Liberia’s Children’s Law, marriage involving anyone under the age of 18 is strictly prohibited, recognizing education as a fundamental right for every child according to UNICEF guidelines.
NIGA policy permits married students—and those who become pregnant—to remain enrolled and attend regular classes. Nevertheless, Mariam acknowledges that managing a household while studying presents significant practical hurdles.
“In the morning, whatever work there is to do, I’ll wake up early and do it before coming to school,” Mariam said, asserting that marriage should not restrict young women from pursuing their goals. “Education is very important as a female. So if you want to get married, continue your school, talk to your husband, and if he agrees, you can go to school.”
Fifteen-year-old Aminata M. Konneh, who is already married and enrolled at NIGA, echoes similar sentiments. Currently without children, Aminata credits her husband’s financial support with keeping her in school.
“I feel happy, really happy coming to school,” Aminata said. She added that navigating education after marriage requires patience and mutual respect. “If you want to stay in school when you’re married, make your husband happy, don’t be angry, be at peace with him, and respect what he says.”
While success stories like Mariam’s and Aminata’s highlight the critical role of spousal backing, educators caution that domestic obligations frequently lead to chronic absenteeism or dropouts.
Umaru Dukuly, an instructor at NIGA, confirmed that while the institution maintains an inclusive policy for married and pregnant students, early marriage often disrupts learning. He recalled one former student who dropped out after her husband could no longer afford her school fees.
“When children get married while they are still young, they do not have enough experience about marriage,” Dukuly observed. “Later, most of them get tired of the marriage, and at the end they drop.”
Dukuly noted that even when married girls remain enrolled, domestic chores frequently interfere with punctuality and regular attendance.
“Sometimes if their husband supports them, they come back to school, but they may not be regular,” Dukuly explained. “They come late because they have to attend to their responsibilities at home first.”
He emphasized that teachers must actively counsel parents, guardians, and students about prioritizing complete secondary education over early marriage.
Beyond the classroom, gender equality advocates warn about the severe systemic risks child marriage poses to society.
Excellence Wutoh, head of the Initiative for Youth Empowerment and Economic Development (IYEED), emphasized that early marriage stifles a girl’s capacity to achieve personal autonomy, secure financial independence, and make informed choices about her life.
Wutoh attributed the persistence of early marriage to deeply entrenched societal norms that reduce women to property.
“It’s where that entitlement comes in to feel like whether you’re of age or not, I should have you as my wife,” Wutoh said. She connected child marriage directly to generational poverty, noting that uneducated young women are far more likely to remain economically dependent on men.
“Liberia tends to lose so much: economic impact, development, sustainability, everything is at stake if Liberia as a country does not empower its girl children,” Wutoh warned. “The girl child should be given time to grow. She should be mature and empowered to the point where she can make her own decisions about her body, her life choices, and who she wants to marry.”
While the resilience of students like Mariam and Aminata illustrates that education can continue with adequate support, the broader reality highlights structural obstacles that keep many young girls from reaching their potential. For educators and civil society advocates, ensuring girls remain in school requires more than just progressive enrollment policies; it demands robust legal protections, economic support, and social transformation.