Liberian human rights lawyer and veteran political figure Tiawan Saye Gongloe has called on young Liberians to embrace education, patriotism, and responsible leadership as the foundation for building a stronger nation. Speaking at the installation ceremony of the Student Council of Mary N. Brownell Junior High School on 12th Street in Monrovia, Gongloe used the occasion to challenge students to see themselves as the future guardians of Liberia’s democracy and national development. Beyond inspiring the newly inducted student leaders, he also addressed broader national issues affecting the education sector, including the growing financial burden of graduation fees on parents. As THE ANALYST reports, Gongloe has urged government intervention to ease these pressures and ensure that education remains accessible to all Liberian children.
Prominent Liberian lawyer and political figure Tiawan Saye Gongloe has called on students across Liberia to embrace education, patriotism, and responsible leadership as the foundation for building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
Gongloe made the call during his keynote address at the Student Council Installation Ceremony of Mary N. Brownell Junior High School, located on 12th Street in Monrovia.
Addressing school authorities, parents, invited guests, and the newly installed student leaders, Gongloe said the ceremony represented more than a routine school event. According to him, it symbolized the emergence of Liberia’s future leaders.
“Today is not just an installation ceremony,” he told the gathering. “It is a reminder that the future of Liberia is sitting right here on 12th Street.”
Speaking on the theme “Education, Patriotism, and Responsible Leadership,” Gongloe urged the students to see themselves not as ordinary young people but as the future professionals and national leaders who will shape Liberia’s destiny.
“You are not small people,” he said. “You are the future doctors, teachers, engineers, artists, business leaders, lawmakers, and presidents of Liberia.”
Tribute to Mary N. Brownell
At the beginning of his remarks, Gongloe paid tribute to Mary N. Brownell, the distinguished Liberian educator after whom the school is named.
He described Brownell as a pioneer whose commitment to education helped shape the minds and character of many young Liberians.
“Mary N. Brownell was not just an educator,” he noted. “She was a builder of minds and a molder of character. She believed deeply that education was the strongest foundation for national progress.”
According to Gongloe, Brownell trained and inspired generations of Liberians who later made meaningful contributions to the country in fields ranging from education and entertainment to public service and national leadership.
He cited the achievements of Brownell’s children as examples of the power of education.
Her daughter, Miatta Fahnbulleh, is widely celebrated as one of Liberia’s most respected singers whose music has become part of the nation’s cultural history.
Her son, Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, served Liberia in several high-ranking positions including Minister of Education, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and National Security Advisor, and also taught at the University of Liberia.
“These are powerful examples of what education can produce,” Gongloe said.
He then invited the audience to observe a moment of silence in honor of Brownell’s memory.
“Mary N. Brownell passed away several years ago, but her spirit remains alive in every classroom, in every student, and in every achievement that comes from this school,” he said.
Education and National Pride
Turning to the broader theme of his speech, Gongloe stressed that education plays a critical role in building patriotism among citizens.
According to him, when a country provides education that is affordable, high-quality, and competitive with global standards, students develop pride in their nation.
“When students are proud of what their country can do for them, they tend to love their country,” he explained.
“When they love their country, they are ready to sacrifice for it, protect it, and defend it.”
However, Gongloe warned that when education becomes excessively expensive, the sense of national pride among students begins to weaken.
He pointed out that many parents across Liberia struggle with rising school costs, including additional charges that place heavy financial burdens on families.
“When education becomes too expensive for a majority of students, when parents struggle under heavy financial burdens to pay graduation fees, and when extra charges are added that have nothing to do with learning, that pride begins to fade away,” he said.
Call to Eliminate Graduation Fees
Gongloe used the occasion to renew his advocacy for the elimination of graduation fees in Liberia’s schools, describing the practice as unfair and unnecessary.
“Graduation is a celebration of victory over ignorance,” he said. “It is not a business day. It is not a fundraising ceremony.”
He criticized schools that collect graduation fees that are sometimes higher than tuition.
“Some schools collect graduation fees that are higher than tuition,” he said. “Yet on graduation day, students are not even given a bottle of water.”
Gongloe noted that historically such charges were not common in Liberia’s education system.
“This did not happen under President Tubman. It did not happen under President Tolbert. It did not happen under President Doe. It did not happen under President Taylor. Why now?” he asked.
According to him, no child should be denied the opportunity to graduate because his or her parents cannot afford a graduation fee.
“When government allows unnecessary burdens on parents, it weakens families,” Gongloe said. “When families are weak, the nation becomes weak.”
Government Responsibility
Gongloe also emphasized that education is a constitutional responsibility of the Liberian government.
“Education is a constitutional duty of government,” he said. “It is not a privilege for the few. It is a right for every Liberian child.”
He urged the government to increase financial support for both public and private schools in order to reduce the burden on parents.
According to him, increased government subsidies could help ensure that schools are adequately funded without imposing excessive charges on families.
Gongloe also stressed the need to combat corruption in government so that more public resources can be directed toward social services such as education.
“Governance is for the people and not the pockets of a few citizens in government,” he said. “Those in government must remember that government is a place to serve, not to steal.”
Appeal to President Boakai
As part of his recommendations, Gongloe called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to take decisive action to address the issue of graduation fees.
“In order to get rid of graduation fees, I respectfully call upon President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to rescue parents by issuing an Executive Order eliminating graduation fees in both public and private schools,” he said.
Message to Students
In his concluding remarks, Gongloe encouraged the students to cultivate discipline, honesty, and a strong sense of responsibility toward their country.
He told them that patriotism is not merely expressed through slogans but through respect for the nation’s institutions and laws.
“Loving your country does not mean shouting slogans,” he said. “It means respecting your government, respecting its officials, respecting the Constitution, and obeying the statutory laws of Liberia.”
He urged the students to commit themselves to academic excellence and national service.
Before concluding, Gongloe invited the students to make a pledge of commitment to Liberia.
“I pledge to love Liberia; I pledge to respect my government, its officials, and the Constitution and statutory laws of my country; I pledge to respect my parents and teachers; I pledge to work hard in my studies; I pledge to protect the culture and unity of my country; I pledge to reject corruption and dishonesty; and I pledge to serve Liberia with integrity and courage,” he said.
Gongloe ended his address by reminding the students that their behavior in school today will shape the future of the nation.
“The way you treat Mary N. Brownell Junior High School today is the way you will treat Liberia tomorrow,” he said.
“A better Liberia is possible, and it begins with you today.”