Monrovia – The Ministry of Education has issued a stern warning to Rev. Paye Cooper Mondolo, the purported principal of the “Evelyn S. Chapman Global Methodist School” in New Georgia Housing Estate, Montserrado County, for allegedly organizing an unauthorized graduation ceremony and illegally changing the school’s name.
In an official communication dated October 6, 2025, Assistant Minister for Basic and Secondary Education, Abba G. Karnga Jr., said the Ministry’s attention was drawn to reports — later confirmed through documentary evidence — that a graduation exercise was held under the name Evelyn S. Chapman Global Methodist School on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
According to the Ministry, the school is legally recognized only as Evelyn S. Chapman United Methodist School under the United Methodist School System, and no operational permit has been issued to any institution under the “Global Methodist” name.
“Any action to conduct academic exercises including graduation under this unrecognized name is illegal and constitutes a direct violation of Ministry regulations,” the letter stated.
The Ministry further revealed that none of the thirty-five (35) students currently in Grade 12 at the institution met the minimum requirements for graduation, based on their 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.
Records from the Ministry show that none of the students passed Mathematics, a mandatory subject for graduation under national policy.
“No student shall be graduated who has not met the Ministry’s graduation criteria, which require passing at least five subjects including Mathematics and English,” the communication warned.
As a result, the Ministry has prohibited any graduation exercise under the unauthorized “Global Methodist” name and cautioned the administration against issuing any academic credentials to unqualified students.
The Ministry also outlined potential penalties for defiance, including imposition of administrative fines, non-recognition of all diplomas or certificates issued under the illegal name; and immediate closure of the school for violation of operational standards.
Minister Karnga advised Rev. Mondolo and his team to seek proper authorization if they wish to operate under a new institutional name. This includes submitting relevant documentation such as a business registration certificate from the Liberia Business Registry, current tax clearance from the Liberia Revenue Authority; and other documents required under the Ministry’s school permitting process.
Until such authorization is granted, the Ministry reaffirmed that only the United Methodist School System’s permit for the Evelyn S. Chapman United Methodist School remains valid.
The letter was also copied to the Deputy Ministers for Administration and Instructions, the County Education Officer for Montserrado County #2, the United Methodist School System, and WAEC Liberia.
“We strongly urge you to comply with these directives to avoid sanctions and to protect the academic future of the students under your care,” Minister Karnga concluded.
The dispute comes amid a broader legal battle between the United Methodist Church (UMC) and a group of breakaway members identifying as the Global Methodist Church, over ownership of church properties, including schools, hospitals, and worship centers.
In August 2025, the Civil Law Court ruled in favor of the United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC), granting it exclusive ownership and possession of all its properties, including educational and health institutions, churches, and parsonages across Liberia.
Delivering the ruling, Judge George Smith of the Civil Law Court, Sixth Judicial Circuit, declared:
“Churches, schools, parsonages, hospitals/clinics, and preaching points belong to the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. When you leave a church, you forfeit the rights and privileges over that church.”
Judge Smith, referencing historical precedents such as the Catholic and Anglican separations and John Wesley’s break from the Anglican Church, emphasized that those who secede from a denomination are not distributees of its property.
He ruled that by withdrawing from and terminating their membership with the Liberia Annual Conference, UMC, the Global Methodist Church and its leaders forfeit all ownership or beneficiary rights to UMC properties. They therefore have no authority to occupy or transfer such properties or to alter signs and inscriptions identifying them as belonging to the United Methodist Church.
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