Filed in by Olando Testimony Zeongar – 0776819983/0880-361116/life2short4some@yahoo.com
Monrovia – Amid a fast-dwindling economy where the exchange rate of the US dollar has reached an all-time high of L$201 for just a single US dollar, with inflation being at 23.4% and prices of basic commodities astronomically skyrocketing, ahead of the reopening of schools for the academic year 2019-2020, several Liberians have begun voicing out their dissatisfaction over the reported hike in fees and tuition by school authorities in the country.
The provision of primary and secondary education in Liberia is propelled mostly by privately run institutions dominated by faith-based organizations, including the Catholic School System, the Methodists, Baptists, and Pentecostals.
Punch FM/TV online service is credibly informed that in the wake of agonizing hardship underpinned by a bad economy, information being released by various schools across the country point to a massive hike in fees and tuition, in contrast to what was paid by parents and self-supported students the previous school year.
Resumption of classes is set later for September this year and the hassle in getting kids in school has already begun, as several Liberians being presented with the reality of the harsh economic situation in the country, have taken to social media to lament the huge increment in fees and tuition by school authorities.
Former Deputy Director-General of state radio, Patrick Honnah believes a hike in fees and tuition in the face of tough times being experienced by many Liberians is a recipe for chaos.
He wrote on his official Facebook page Tuesday that if nothing is done urgently by the national government to curb the wave of increment in fees and tuition by school authorities, this may spike uproar in the country.
“The school fees noise coming start small, small” with reports of a huge percentage increase in tuition to meet up with the increasing exchange rate(201 today),” Patrick wrote.
He raised concern over teachers being given low incentives even while school administrators are charging huge fees and tuition, stating, “Teachers of private schools, who earned 25,000LD a year ago, were actually earning the equivalent of 160U.S or a little more at the rate of 156 to 1U.S, obviously still a very low income for someone who imparts knowledge.”
He continued: “Now, it is even lower. If a school pays the least qualified teacher 25,000LD, that teacher is actually earning in a whole month, a pitiful 125U.S for one whole month of “talking plenty”. Meanwhile, prices of basic essentials are not making escalation lazy.”
He singled out the Catholic School System, intimating that it will be among schools that will be adjusting its fees and tuition upward.
Patrick notes that amid exorbitant increment of fees and tuition, many parents’ salaries are not increasing at their various job sites, adding, “in fact, some have lost their jobs already due to the challenging economy but they will now have to cope if their innocent kids must go to school this 2019/20.
He cautioned that what he calls the 2019-2020 school year debacle is a huge a challenge ahead for the George Weah-led government, which he says instead of moving fast to tackle such challenge, is busy branding critics of the regime as ‘enemies of the state’; as well as threatening to go after those who are bad-mouthing the President.
Patrick also averred that instead of government taking concrete steps to nip in the bud the potential trouble looming in the country’s educational system, government and its operatives were bent on harassing the wife and family of a vocal opposition politician by preventing his (Montserrado District #10 Rep Yekeh Kolubah) family from travelling out of the country and seizing their traveling documents and belongings, and also shutting down radio stations owned by journalists perceived to be critical of the regime.
He maintained that officials of the government including President Weah should discontinue adopting a laissez-faire approach towards the situation regarding the hike in fees and tuition by administrations of schools in the country, by using all of their energy on looking for what kind of music to dance, or which battle cry to chant, and get to work and fix what needs to be fixed, noting that governance is needed the most at this stage.
For Zenu Millier, a journalist working for OK FM in Monrovia, the hullabaloo over hike in fees and tuition has already begun, as he writes: “The noise is already on bro.” But Honnah assures Zenu that if nothing is swiftly done to arrest the situation, “the real noise coming.”
Lorraine Rose Dunn, a female writes: “We parents are tightening our belts already,” but Monica Hodge, another female believes the problem associated with a huge increment in fees and tuition at this time is a “Very serious challenge.”
Sallia S. Komala cannot agree with Dunn more, as she writes in Liberian pidgin: “Da true oooo.”
Stanley Tumoe, for his part, is totally frustrated over the situation, stating, “Nothing hurts me more in Liberia than the pricing of goods and services in foreign currency. (USD) Government awaited new policy is to give out 1000% Liberian dollar to those who received remittances from abroad.
He wonders how will he settle the very high fees being levied by school administrators when there is foreign currency scarcity – “How will I get foreign currency to pay these fees when the bank exchange my money from abroad to Liberian dollar?”
Lula Roberts-Johnson is of the belief that the increment being made by school authorities is criminal and a one intended to rob parents, sponsors and self-supported pupils.
“Which one be academic and behaviour bond? All kind of small, small fees just to steal. Smh!” Lula writes.
William Nyanti believes the huge increments are unusual as he writes: “Very unusual increment in tuition.”
A staff in Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor office, Solomon A. Ware bemoans the hike and feel pity for parents with many children, as himself is.
Solomon writes: “Especially for parents like us who have four kids. But with God’s Grace our kids with make to school. Amen!”
Jamesetta Princess Poboe Jimmeh agrees with Honnah, and acknowledges that the increment in fees and tuition for academic 2019-2020 is a great challenge, lamenting that even those who are a little well of in term of income are complaining.
“Those that have been laid off, where some of them will turn? So pathetic. The noise wouldn’t be small oooh, God help us!!” Jamesetta wrote.
Francis K. Moifolley writes: “Hmmm, da ma die, pa crazy situation we’re in already! Escalation in basic commodities and tuition, while the US rate is soaring at an alarming rate and our currency continues to lose its value!”
Aromenia Cooper: “I spoke with colleague last evening who stressed similar concerns. By the way, he informed me that the school his kids attend has increased its tuition fees by 100%!! Just imagine, slow and low economic growth, high unemployment rate, salary harmonisation, high transportation fares among others further compounds the situation for parents…”
Belloh Gabby Gbee agrees with Cooper and writes: “yes oh, my son is there too but I’m getting him out too. This is unfair. U can’t climb the fees up like this. How will mothers in the market pay their kids fees.”
Belloh continues: “This is very serious my brother, my sister paid about 49 thousand LD last year at the Jones Christian Academy opposite the health Ministry, this year is 123,000 Ld for her daughter.”
Paasewa Jenneh, for her part, expressed her dissatisfaction over the increment in fees and tuition by taunting the ruling party’s mantra of change that brought the Weah-led government to power – “That small thing. We inside yah.. Change for Hope!!” Jenneh wrote.
An official of government, Isaac C. Yeah, acknowledges the hike in fees and tuition for academic 2019-2020, and he writes: “The Catholic Schools are still the lowest and cheapest compare to the Methodist, Baptist and other private schools…There are schools in Monrovia where students pay 2,000USD to 4,000USD…”
