PHOTO: Rep. Thomas Fallah, Chair of Committee on Ways, Means & Finance
By Mark N. Mengonfia- mmenginfia@gmail.com
An propose Act seeking to establish and legislate ‘ Tuition free scheme’ for university of Liberia, all public Universities and colleges, including the payment of fees for West African Senior School Certificate Exams ( WASSCE) for all public and private schools for ninth and twelve graders, has surfaced at the House of Representatives.
The instrument was first read in open plenary on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at the second day sitting of the 4th session of the 45th Legislature and said act was forwarded to House’s committees on education and Ways, Means and Finance/ They are to review it and make recommendation to the plenary of the House of Representatives.
Montserrado County Senator, Thomas Fallah is the progenitor of the tuition free scheme for public Universities and Colleges. In his communication addressed to the Speaker of that body, the Montserrado County District five lawmaker,
This Legislative move comes as there are reports that some schools in Liberia are requesting students to pay their WASSCE fees.
Rep/ Fallah said since President George Weah visited the University of Liberia and made pronouncement of a free tuition at that University and all other public Universities in Liberia, it has not been legislated and as a lawmaker, he sees the need to make said pronouncement legislated.
n his communication, Rep. Fallah said: “President George Weah made the pronouncement but since it was not legislated, any other government can cancel his gestures.”
The Montserrado County Representative also said considering education as a fundamental to the growth and development of any nation, the proposed legislation when passed into law will seek to positively effect and enhance the educational system of Liberia.
In his communication, the Montserrado County lawmaker indicated that tuition-free scheme for University of Liberia and all public Universities and colleges in Liberia will mitigate the current economic inequality by increasing college enrolment.
He indicated that when the instrument is enacted, it will lower pressure on students and parents at the same time improve completion especially amongst student of lower-income family.
The Payment of WASSCE fees for public and private schools will bring relief to schooling kids in the Liberian Republic as their parents will have no worries for those fees they have suffered with over the years.
When Rep. Fallah was quizzed if he is taking into consideration the declined economic of Liberia, in responded that the government will identity sources of income as it was the best to do ensure that the legacy of President Weah lives on.
After the reading of the act, House’s Committees on Education and Ways, Means & Finance was mandated by that plenary, the highest division maker of that body to make a full report to them after they have carefully looked into it.