-Generates mixed reactions among Liberians
By Jerromie S. Walters
In the 2024 National budget under the Ministry of Education’s “Subsidy” allotment, over a million dollars was earmarked for private universities in Liberia. This allocation comes from a total Ministry of Education budget of $48,498,456 million, with $1,516,750 specifically designated for private and other institutions.
However, this has scintillated dissension among stakeholders, with contrasting views on the allotment of said financial support for private institutions, while public learning institutions (High schools, colleges, and the state-run University of Liberia (UL) continue to face numerous challenges.
Among the private institutions receiving subsidies are: Prince Johnson University (PJY University) – $150,000, Seventh Day Adventist University – $65,000, United Methodist University – $50,000, African Methodist Episcopal University – $65,000, African Methodist Episcopal Zion University – $50,000, Stella Maris Polytechnic – $50,000 and SNJ Starz College – $80,000 among others
This has sent discord in the public sphere, as many say these funds should have been better utilized to strengthen other critical sectors or public institutions in Liberia. This perception is backed by the fact that private learning institutions in Liberia are known for providing a better learning environment compared to public institutions.
In a recent interaction with this paper, Mary Korpo Kerkula, the current President of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU), expressed mixed sentiments regarding the government’s decision to provide subsidies to private universities. She acknowledged the importance of easing the financial burden on students in private institutions but emphasized the pressing need to address the challenges faced by public colleges first.
Kerkula stated, “That’s where the issue is but I think subsidizing the cost on students at private institutions is important as well but in my mind, I feel that the first preference should be given to the public institutions, and once things are stabilized from that end than the private institutions can be considered for such financial benefit. But as I said, it is also important to help in easing the burden of struggling students that are at those different private institutions but I think it is important to as well place emphasis on the public institutions.”
She added: “I don’t see that as a bad idea. Even at the level of the private institutions, there are students who can’t afford the fees to be able to form a part of the different semesters. But I think in as much as such opportunity has been provided under the Ministry of Education as you stated, there should also be attention given to other public colleges as well as universities across the country [Excluding UL]. For UL, we are benefiting from the budget directly but I think the Ministry of Education should also look in that direction to see the need that other public institutions need as well and it is also important to capture the private schools as well but I think emphasis should also be placed on other public institutions of learning as well.”
Furthermore, Kerkula recommended that the process of providing subsidies for private universities must be made public, criteria must be set for an institution to benefit and the government, through the Ministry of Education must track how the funds are used.
On the other hand, renowned Liberian Economist, Samuel Jackson, supported the government’s initiative to provide subsidies to private universities, and advocated for increased funding for tertiary institutions. Jackson stressed the prominence of transparency in the selection criteria for allocating subsidies and ensuring that the amount of support is equitable across all institutions.
He recommends the need for objective criteria in selecting institutions for subsidy. “We need objective criteria in selecting institutions for subsidy and we need to make laws to avoid subjectivity.”
A Closer Look:
Liberia, like many developing nations, grapples with a myriad of challenges within its educational sector that hinder the delivery of quality education to its citizens. These challenges, ranging from infrastructure deficits to limited resources, have long been obstacles to the country’s efforts to provide accessible and equitable education for all.
One of the primary challenges facing Liberia’s educational sector is the lack of adequate infrastructure and facilities. Many schools across the country are in poor condition, lacking basic amenities such as classrooms, desks, and sanitation facilities. To date, students of the State-run university still struggle for armchairs.
During a recent engagement with student leaders and President Joseph Boakai, they (Students of the University of Liberia) proffered several challenges including the need for the University of Liberia Administration to improve facilities, carry out renovation works on the University’s campuses, and take tangible steps to upgrade the laboratories, provide tools, and upgrade the libraries with materials meeting international standards.
Liberia’s educational sector is also constrained by the shortage of qualified teachers and education. Another critical challenge facing Liberia’s educational sector is the lack of sufficient funding and resources. Limited government investment in education results in inadequate school supplies, outdated curriculum materials, and insufficient support for educational programs. Howbeit, this has been attributed to the legacy of the civil war and the Ebola crisis. It is a known fact that these unexpected occurrences left a lasting impact on Liberia’s educational system.
This decline ushered in former President Sirleaf’s comment that the country’s educational system was a mess. Following this, she mandated a free and compulsory primary education policy as part of strategies to restore quality in Liberian classrooms.
The policy provides the opportunity for parents to send their kids to school no matter the economic situation. Since the pronouncement of free and compulsory primary education by former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, parents have fought to make sure that their children are in school. However, not much has been done to effectuate this law.
Considering this nightmare, scores of other students of the University of Liberia have mirrored the need to prioritize addressing the challenges faced by public learning institutions before extending financial assistance to private universities. Like the Student Union President, they acknowledged the positive intent behind the subsidy provision but emphasized the importance of strengthening public learning institutions to enhance the overall quality of education in Liberia.
MoE and its 2024 Mission:
Established by an Act of the National Legislature in 1912, the Ministry of Education has the mandate to plan and direct all educational programs in the country.
The Ministry coordinates and regulates efforts of all national and international actors participating in every form of scholarly activity involving public and private schools, as well as out-of-school programs. At the higher education level, through the National Commission of Higher Education, the Ministry coordinates and closely monitors the work within the government’s education plan.
The Ministry of Education’s Objectives for 2024 are to Increase equitable access-Improve the quality and relevance of teaching and learning and as well strengthen efficiency and management capacity.
