-UL Students Urge Continuation of Free Tuition Policy, Amid Report of Evaluation
By Jerromie S. Walters & Vaye A. Lepolu
Students at the University of Liberia are expressing strong support for the continuation of the free tuition policy established by former President George Weah in 2018. This initiative has allowed many Liberians to enroll in university, easing financial burdens for families nationwide.
In a recent interview on the ELBC Super Morning Show, Dr. Layli Maparyan, the 16th president of the University of Liberia, discussed the ongoing evaluation of the free tuition policy. She highlighted the need to assess its effectiveness and impact on the university’s operations.
Dr. Maparyan revealed that the free tuition initiative is currently undergoing a performance audit. After this audit, she and the Board of Trustees will make informed decisions regarding the policy’s future, which may involve maintaining or adjusting it. However, students have voiced concerns about potential changes to the free tuition policy.
ULSU President Defends the Policy
Jacquelyn Blio B. Tingban, President of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU), informed this paper on Thursday that she doesn’t believe the university’s challenges stem from the free tuition policy. Instead, she attributes them to inadequate systems.
Tingban stated, “I don’t think that the free tuition policy is a problem.” She emphasized that the real issues at the University of Liberia have persisted through various administrations. “It has not been the change of president, but the management and stability of the systems in place,” she explained.
According to Tingban, the university struggles with insufficient systems. “Either there is no system, or the system is broken,” she noted. She urged the administration to focus on implementing existing policies and improving essential services, such as internet connectivity and sanitation. “The entire university lacks internet access. We should be finding ways to solve these problems,” she added.
Tingban reassured that the free tuition policy does not negatively impact the university’s budget. “With or without the free tuition policy, the university has a budget it is working with,” she said. As ULSU President, Tingban shared that students largely appreciate the free tuition initiative. She disagreed with claims that it has hindered educational quality or infrastructure development. “I don’t believe that is the case,” she concluded.
Pleading to Maintain the Policy
Senior student Moses D. Alexander noted that the introduction of the policy led to a significant increase in enrollment, resulting in overcrowding. He pointed out that many students from low-income families, who could not afford expensive private universities, benefited greatly from this initiative. However, he acknowledged that the rapid increase in student numbers has strained the university’s resources, necessitating a reevaluation of the policy.
Alexander further explained that while the free tuition policy was beneficial, there are pressing infrastructure needs that must be addressed to ensure student comfort and success. He suggested that a minimal fee structure could be implemented to help the university generate revenue for necessary improvements while still supporting students from low-income backgrounds.
Additionally, student Satta Massaquoi highlighted the positive impact of the free tuition policy on many citizens. She noted that funds previously allocated for tuition are now being redirected toward transportation, meals, and school supplies. She urged Dr. Maparyan to consider the financial challenges faced by students, warning that eliminating the free tuition policy could lead to educational instability in the country.
Junior student Rosena Macaulay shared her experience of paying US$500 in tuition per semester at the United Methodist University before the free tuition policy allowed her to pursue her educational goals at the University of Liberia. She emphasized the importance of this policy in enabling students like her to access higher education.
Meanwhile, student Aaron Mongor echoed the sentiments of his peers, stressing that the free tuition policy is crucial given the country’s economic challenges. He expressed concern over the potential implications of Dr. Maparyan’s evaluation of the policy, arguing that the focus should be on improving the university’s infrastructure rather than imposing fees on students who are already struggling financially.
“If I come from a poor background and am asked to pay LD $400, where will I find that money?” Mongor questioned. He believes that the administration should prioritize creating a conducive learning environment for students rather than complicating access to education through additional fees.
Coming of the Policy
Liberia’s immediate former president George Weah declared the University of Liberia and all public universities tuition-free for undergraduate students in 2018. He announced hundreds of cheering students at the University of Liberia’s Capitol Hill Campus in Monrovia during a planned visit.
The declaration aimed to position Liberia as an example for other African nations. This announcement came as a surprise following a fee-hike protest by students who had recently met with the president to discuss rising tuition costs.
Students were paying US$4 (L$400) per credit hour last semester, but the amount increased to L$600 per credit hour that semester. The students, led by Flomo Mao Maiwo, argued that the decision was not in their interest. They also raised concerns about a contravention of university policy regarding fee increases.
Weah summoned the university’s leadership days later and subsequently announced the visit to the school. The school authorities explained that it was not a fee hike but an exchange rate issue, as they billed students in U.S. dollars.
The University of Liberia recorded low student enrollment that semester, with only about 11,000 registered students out of approximately 20,000 due to the fee hike. Ex-President Weah’s declaration came in the absence of University of Liberia President Dr. Ophelia Weeks, who was reportedly in Kenya for an education summit.
UL Debunks Policy Cancellation Report
In October of last year, the University of Liberia (UL) dispelled rumors about the potential end of its tuition-free policy, clarifying that there are currently no plans to discontinue this initiative. The reassurance followed reports from students facing difficulties while registering for courses, sparking worries over a possible change in tuition structure.
Many students reported encountering messages in their registration portals requiring full payment of tuition and registration fees before proceeding with course planning. Screenshots circulated among students displayed alarming notifications stating, “All undergraduate students are to make 100% fee payment of the total itemized bill or total bill to be paid before being allowed to plan a section for courses selected.”
Senate Attempts to Act
On Thursday, November 30, 2023, the plenary of the Liberian Senate erupted in chaos over a proposed free tuition policy bill. The bill aims to provide free education for all Liberian students at public universities and colleges, as well as cover WASSCE fees for both 12th and 9th graders nationwide.
The scene in the Senate chamber was dramatic, with senators engaged in heated exchanges. The normally composed atmosphere gave way to a raucous display, as senators expressed both support for and opposition to the proposed legislation.
Senators in favor of the bill include Gble-bo Brown, Nyumene Bartekwa, Simeo Taylor, Joseph Jallah, and Augustine Chea. Those calling for further scrutiny include Senators Jonathan Boy Charles Singbe, Abraham Darius Dillon, Botoe Kanneh, James Biney, Edwin Snowe, Conmany Wesseh, and Emmanuel Nuquay.
It can be recalled that the Plenary of the House of Representatives, in 2021, passed a bill seeking to create a special educational scheme. The Act is titled “A Special Education Fund to Support and Sustain the Tuition-Free Scheme for the University of Liberia and All Public Universities and Colleges, and the Free WASSCE Fees for 12th and 9th Graders Across the Country.”
The proposed bill was triggered after former President George M. Weah declared tuition-free education at the undergraduate level for all public universities. The bill aims to empower young Liberians through easier access to higher education and was submitted to the House by Montserrado County District 5 Representative, Thomas Fallah.
