Cautions Politicians To Constructively Criticize
PHOTO: Prof. Richmond Anderson
By Amara Konneh, konnehamara96@gmail.com
Monrovia- An Adjoint Professor and Chairman of the Political Science Department at the State-Run University, Richmond Anderson has lauded President George Manneh Weah for gain made in education and other sectors, cautioning politicians to criticize constructively and recommend solutions to better Liberia.
Prof. Anderson, who is a former lawmaker of Electoral District #12 Montserrado County in the 53rd Legislature, was recently reacting to President Weah’s 6th and final State of the Nation Address to the joint session of the Legislature.
The UL Political Science Department Chairman has also commended the Liberian Leader for creating what he called an enabling environment for students, so as to have tertiary education despite other challenges.
Prof. Anderson mentioned that under the Weah-led Government, the education system in Liberia is becoming from “mess to better” though there are challenges, it is gradually leaving from mess to better, considering the outputs of Liberian students in National Exams and even at the University of Liberia and other institutions.
Constructive criticisms with recommendations
He told this Reporter that the administration of President Weah has made some gains, but if others want to criticize, they should do it in a constructive way and come out with recommendation.
“I actually get annoyed with some politicians as they go about to criticize everything done in this government without a remedy. Since the inception of this government, though I am not a member of his administration but a whole lot of strives have been made. As we all can recalled, former President Sirleaf termed the Education System as a mess. Today, it is getting to the best under the leadership of President Weah. In past administration, our students performed decimally in National Exams. But today, see the number of students in Liberia who are making successful pass in public test,” the Chairman of the UL Political Science Department said.
As a result of the “Free Tuition” policy at all government institutions, Prof. Anderson admitted over 20,000 students, with others who have successfully passed in the entrances, are registering to be admitted, adding there is the likelihood that the number might increase to 30-35,000 students which are at the result of the enabling environment of Free Tuition Policy, despite the challenges.
The former Montserrado County District # 12 Representative also noted that students and parents in Liberia do not have to look for WASSCE fees, and it has given the students courage for extensive studies and encouragement to better develop in the future.
Prof. went on to say that even though he had not been to all of the counties to see what is obtaining the fact remains that little intervention is being made in most parts of Liberia and the transformation are ongoing.
“So, we cannot say all of the areas are poor. Some strives have been made for a brighter future despite our 14 years of civil war that devastated our infrastructure, economy and even to the extent of damaging our electricity and other essentials across the country and it is a difficult situation in a short period,” Professor Anderson added.
The head of the UL Political Science Department maintains if people will criticize this policy than they should offer a remedy for the general public, not personal interest or negative criticism, adding: “The Free Tuition Policy is timely and I wish I was younger; I would have gone back to school and earned more degrees.”
Prof. Anderson then called on Liberians to not engage in negativity but rather a constructive engagement and advocates in the interest of Liberia.