By William Selmah, wselmah@gmail.com
Liberia’s President George Weah has declared tuition-free for students of the University of Liberia (UL) and all other public universities in the country.
The Liberian leader did not say where the money will come from, amidst serious budgetary constraints facing his CDC government.
“The details and modalities will be arranged and finalized between the Administration of the University and the relevant sectoral Ministries of Government,” President Weah said in a speech delivered on the UL Capitol Hill campus on Wednesday.
FLASHBACK: Protesting University of Liberia students
His move, hailed in many quarters, followed a peaceful protest last Friday by UL students before his office against increment in fee per credit hour.
During a meeting with the institute’s Vice President for University Relations President Norris Tewah, as a result, President Weah said he was shocked to learn that out of 20,000 students who go through the billing process, only 12,000 pay their fees and attend.
“Now, make use of the opportunity given today to reach your full potential in your educational sojourn”, the President said amidst cheers Wednesday when he visited the institution’s main campus on Capitol Hill.
The visitor to the University further assured that his government will invest in human capital because he sees a clear link between a well educated citizenry and economic growth.
“Education is the key to success because it enables a person to think logically and communicate effectively” Weah added.
Although students at the UL and other public universities are no longer required to pay tuition, they must pay all other fees charged.
The Liberian leader also remarked that besides his official functions related to the running of the state owned university, he was “personally concerned that the University is run smoothly and efficiently, so that it is enabled to concentrate on its growth and development plans, and fulfill its ambition to become one of the best universities in Africa”.
It initially appeared that Weah’s visit to the university was going to be greeted by rival demonstrations which began gradually building up.
But following a rather popular “tuition-free” declaration, one group of protestors gradually faded out, leaving only a cheering squad to witness the President’s departure. His declaration immediately began trending on social media.
It can be recalled that the UL, with financial backing from the Weah-led government, this semester removed hurdles associated with a rather exhausting, traditional registration process that often saw long, endless queues, by digitizing the entire system.
With smart phones and computers, students are now planning and registering courses from the comfort of their homes absolutely stress-free, unlike previous semesters when some went as far as passing nights in classrooms just to be able to be at the head of the queues the next morning.
“By this intervention, my Government shows its commitment not only to invest in physical capital, such as roads, but in human capital, for the over-all growth of our citizens and our economy. We believe that no country can develop without investing in the education of its people. This policy will continue to form an integral part of our Pro-Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity.
“Now there is no need for you not to enroll in school, and for you not to attend your classes. There is also no reason now for you to drop out of school because of financial constraints,” President Weah said.