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Monrovia – President George Weah has intimated that he is excited by his most recent policy statement, declaring tuition free for undergraduates at all government-run universities in the country.
Moments after President Weah made the declaration on Wednesday at the main campus of the country’s oldest highest institution of learning, the government-owned University of Liberia (UL), on Capitol Hill, administrators of the president’s official Facebook page posted on social medal quoting the Liberian leader that he was excited over his decision to have declared free tuition for undergraduates’ enrollment into state universities around the country.
“Today, I’m excited to announce that I have declared the University of Liberia and all other Public Universities in Liberia tuition free for all undergraduates,” the statement on the president’s Facebook page reads.
Earlier on, President Weah told a jam-packed UL auditorium amid thunderous applauds occasioned by a prolonged standing ovation that in his own name, in the name of the Liberian people and his administration, “I therefore declare free tuition for all undergraduate students at the University of Liberia, as well as all other public universities in Liberia.”
President Weah noted that the decision to declare free tuition for university students pursuing their first degree was underpinned by the increasing cost of education in Liberia, which he said has most often led to non-enrollment, non-attendance and frequent dropouts, adding that such increasing cost of education was becoming counterproductive to the country’s development goals.
“I believe therefore, that the time has come to take the bold initiatives and make direct social interventions to address this problem,” President Weah told a jubilant crowd of government officials, UL administrators, faculty members and other guests, outnumbered by a huge student population.
The Liberian leader disclosed that as a result of his continuous dialogues and conversations with administrators, as well as with students of the UL, having been notified that among other constraints plaguing the students, several of them had financial problems which were making it difficult for them to further their education.
“I was shocked when I was told that every semester about 20,000 students go through the bidding process yet, only 12,000 students attend the school and pay. Furthermore, about 5,000 of the 12,000 students, are depending on some kind of financial aid or scholarship. The rest of the students do not attend due to the lack of financial means,” he said.
“Based upon my discussion, I called the Finance Minister to find a solution to the problems,” said President Weah, who acknowledged that the inability of young Liberians to continue their education is very troubling and is a one which has a negative impact on them and their ability to make a positive contribution to the nation’s growth and development.
“By this time, it should be clear to all that we will never be successful in achieving the goals of our pro-poor agenda if we do not place more emphasis on the development of our human capital,” amod cheers, said Weah, who added, “In so doing, we have to invest in quality education.”
“There is a definite link between the well educated citizenry and economic growth – and in recognition of that, my government has decided to invest in our human capital in order to achieve sustained economic growth,” Weah said, stating, “having a good education is important to one’s success in life, Education is the key to success, because, it enables a person to think logically and communicate effectively.”
“Therefore, I George Forkay-klon Jlaleh Gbah ku gbeh Tarpeh Manneh Weah, and in the name of the Liberian people and our government, I therefore declare free tuition for all undergraduate students at the University of Liberia, as well as all other public universities in Liberia,” the Liberian chief executive said, adding that the details and modalities of his pronouncement will be arranged and finalized between the administration of the UL and the relevant sectoral ministries of government.
By this intervention, President Weah intoned that his government has shown its commitment not only to invest in physical capital such as roads, but in human capital, for the overall growth of his citizens and the Liberian economy.
“We believe that no country can develop without investing in the education of its people. This policy will continue to form a part of our pro-poor agenda for development and prosperity,” he emphasized. .
He then urged Liberians to take advantage of the policy pronouncement which he called an opportunity, so that they reach their full potential in their educational sojourn.
He informed students that in spite of the tuition free privilege, they would be required to pay other relevant fees – “But to the students, let me inform you that this will be a win-win partnership between you and the government, as you will still expect to pay other fees charged by the university,” he said.
“No, 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 jump out of school because of financial constraint,” said President Weah.
He eulogized fallen former South African president Nelson Mandela, whom he referred to as his hero, quoting Mandela as saying, “Education is the greatest weapon that you can use to change the world.”
Making reference to the quote he borrowed from Mandela, President Weah then challenged the students saying, “I am now giving you that weapon, use the weapon to change Liberia.”
“… For everyone to go to school is why we are doing this – as the president of your country, the least I owe you is to educate you,” President Weah further said.
He added: So, today I make you happy, I want you to make us proud. I want to encourage you to use the opportunity to go to all the disciplines – we are looking for engineers, don’t limit yourselves – we are looking for pilots, we are looking for chemical engineers – let us invest in all of our sectors…”
