MONROVIA – A longtime Liberian human rights advocate and public defender, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, is requesting President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to issue an executive order that will compel academic institutions to cancel the imposition and solicitation of graduation fees on students and parents.
In an open letter addressed to the president dated October 24, 2024, a copy shared with The Analyst, the 2023 presidential contender observed that the imposition of graduation fees is burdensome and unjustifiable.
Gongloe said he was bringing the matter to the president’s attention because it is imperative that the president be made aware of the challenges faced by families regarding graduation fees.
“Through my daily interactions in various areas of Liberia with a cross-section of Liberians it has become clear to me that this burden weighs heavily on students and their supporters,” the human rights lawyer told the president.
“In my conversations with parents, guardians, and community members, I have encountered widespread worries about this issue. For instance, a mother in Paynesville recently expressed her distress to me over the simultaneous graduation of three of her children, revealing that the financial burden of paying graduation fees for all three of them had overshadowed what should be a joyous occasion.
“Therefore, instead of celebrating their achievements, many families are left anxious and unhappy during graduation season. Your leadership in eliminating this fee would bring immense relief to countless Liberians, including parents, guardians and sponsors of students.”
“I extend my respectful compliments and write to appeal to you to consider the elimination of graduation fees across all educational institutions in Liberia, both private and public, from kindergarten through university,” Gongloe further said in the communication to President Boakai.
Historically, he recalled, there were no graduation fees in Liberia during the economically prosperous period, 1960s and 1970s, a time when the nation boasted of thriving industries—from mining and logging to agriculture.
He added: “Every Liberian who is at least fifty years old today will recall that in the 1960s and 1970s, the Liberian economy was performing better than now, with so many mining companies, logging companies, large tree crops farms, including but not limited to rubber, cacao, coffee, sugar cane, tobacco and rice. Liberia even had a functioning petroleum refinery, even though Liberia was not producing crude oil and creating a lot of jobs through the production of products from jet fuel, gasoline, diesel, kerosine, heavy grease, and asphalt.
“Liberia had a sugar factory in Maryland County, plywood factories in Greenville, Sinoe County and River Gbeh, Grand Gedeh County (now Rivergee County) for the local market and export. The Mesurado Group of Companies and other companies at the Freezone and the Industrial Park in Gardnersville were engaged in manufacturing of a variety of products, including Maggi cubes, biscuits, matches etc.
“In the Roberts International Airport area was EXCHEM, a company engaged in the production of explosives for Liberian mines and beyond. The Liberia Produce Marketing Company and various agricultural projects existed in Lofa, Bong, Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties for enhancing the capacity of Liberia to grow more food and cash crops. I am naming these economic activities because they created a lot of jobs and provided more disposable incomes for Liberian families. Yet, at that time there was no graduation fee in any school in Liberia. It is therefore, ironical that at the time of extreme job scarcity in Liberia, the government is permitting the imposition of graduation fees as a pre-condition for graduation.”
Moreover, Cllr Gongloe reminded President Boakai, the Constitution of Liberia recognizes education as a fundamental right for all citizens, as Article 6 of the Constitution emphasizes the government’s obligation to provide equal access to education.
“This right is compromised for those who cannot afford graduation fees, thus contradicting the very principles enshrined in our Constitution,” the constitutional lawyer asserted.
Liberia, Gongle said, is also a party to several international instruments that affirm education as a fundamental human right, reinforcing the necessity to eliminate barriers that hinder access to education in Liberia today
By issuing an executive order to abolish graduation fees, he told the president, “you would not only be addressing a pressing concern for many families, but also reaffirming your commitment to the rights of all Liberians.”
He also indicated that the president’s action in this matter would demonstrate sensitivity to the struggles of our citizens and promote a more equitable educational environment.
He concluded expressing the hope that the president would consider his appeal by issuing an executive order to end the payment of graduation fees in Liberia.
“Mr. President, because this is a burning issue that requires public reaction or input, I have decided to make it an open letter for public information. Please accept my highest esteem and respect.”
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