By Kruah Thompson
Monrovia, Liberia, February 26, 2026: Liberian Hipco star Christoph the Change has been barred from all school-related performances across Liberia for this academic year following a controversial show at St. Teresa Convent Catholic School, which education authorities and local residents described as inappropriate for students.
The incident occurred over the weekend of February 7 to 8, 2026, when Christoph performed at the respected all-girls institution. A video of the performance circulated widely on social media, showing students dancing to a song that many called sexually suggestive and unsuitable for a school setting.
Critics said the performance included lyrics and movements inappropriate for minors and raised questions about supervision during the event. The incident sparked strong public reaction, with parents, alumni, and education advocates criticizing both the artist and school authorities for permitting the show. Lawyers and former students called for accountability and stricter enforcement of school codes of conduct.
In response, the Ministry of Education condemned the performance, launched an investigation into how the event was approved, and imposed sanctions. These included barring Christoph from all school-related shows and fining the school L$500,000 for failing to ensure a safe and age-appropriate environment.
Christoph’s management issued a public apology, explaining that an adult oriented verse was played amid chants from the audience. They said they attempted to stop it but acknowledged that the incident should not have occurred.
The episode has sparked a wider debate in Liberia about child protection, the responsibilities of performers and event organizers, and how schools vet entertainment for student activities.
On Thursday, February 26, 2026, Deputy Information Minister Danial Sanoe read a statement from the Ministry of Education, noting that the school had been invited to a meeting but its administration failed to attend. The Ministry said the absence was viewed as a failure to comply with regulatory expectations.
“Following its review of the inappropriate performance at St. Teresa Convent Catholic School, the Ministry of Education has taken formal enforcement action for breaches of duty of care, student safeguarding, and supervision standards,” the release stated. “The event, which involved indecent exposure before students, constituted a serious failure of child protection obligations in a school environment.”
The Ministry further noted that, despite a formal invitation, no administrators from St. Teresa Convent Catholic School attended the meeting, and no written explanation for their absence had been received.
Sanctions imposed by the Ministry of Education include: a financial penalty of LRD 500,000, payable within 14 days; mandatory disciplinary proceedings against administrators and teachers responsible for supervision, with evidence of action to be submitted to the Ministry; a nationwide ban on Christoph the Change from performing at school-related events for the remainder of the academic year; a requirement for a formal apology and corrective action plan from the school administration; coordinated student counseling and parental engagement through the Montserrado County Education Office.
According to the ministry, these measures aim to protect students, uphold safeguarding standards, and reinforce accountability across the education sector.
The Ministry of Education reiterated that student safety and proper supervision are non-negotiable obligations for all institutions and that enforcement will follow wherever breaches occur.
