Gongloe Trumpets Calls for Graduation Fees Cancellation -Sends Out ‘Emergency Call’ to ‘Rescue Team’

MONROVIA – Liberian legal luminary Tiawan Saye Gongloe has renewed his calls to the Government of Liberia led by the Unity Party aka “Rescue Team” to, in his words, rescue the suffering people of Liberia from the swearing burden of graduation fees.

Cllr. Gongloe who recently released an open letter to President Joseph N. Boakai on the same matter, repeated calls for a prompt redress while delivering a Commencement Address at the Prince O. S. Tokpah Academy in his home county of Nimba on October 26.

Speaking on the topic, “An Emergency Call to the Rescue Team For Relief From The Burden Of Graduation Fees,” the learned Liberian lawyer said graduation fees constitute a huge burden, often seen as a mere administrative requirement, but which weighs heavily on the shoulders of countless parents, guardians, and sponsors.

He recalled that he had spoken recently with a mother from Paynesville who shared her heart-wrenching story of having to pay graduation fees for three of her children at once.

Instead of celebrating their remarkable achievements, she found herself engulfed in worry about where to find the money, Gongloe said.

“This is not an isolated incident; it is a reality for many families across Liberia,” he said. “The very moment that should be filled with pride and joy instead becomes a source of stress and anxiety. We should not allow this to continue, as there is no justification for the imposition of graduation fees.”

Gongloe indicated he once paid US$75 as a graduation fee for a kindergarten student and US$680 for a university student and neither of these graduation programs lasted more than two hours, and neither did the students nor their parents were even offered a bottle of water.

“Some graduation fees are even more than a semester’s tuition. What kind of country is this?,” the human rights advocate wondered, adding that historically, there were no graduation fees in Liberia and because there was no graduation imposed by any school in Liberia in the 1960s and 70s, most Liberian students, especially those from rural and urban families, enjoyed the right to education as the government ensured that education was a right of every Liberian, not a privilege reserved only for those with money.

Government schools were free, private school fees were low, and no graduation fees were charged, he reflected on the “good old days”.

“Back then,” he said, “our economy thrived, providing jobs and opportunities for all. How ironic it is that today, at a time when jobs are scarce and families struggle to make ends meet, we allow such fees to hinder the progress of our youth.”

According to him, countries like Rwanda, Botswana, and Mauritius, which are making strides in their economies, do not impose graduation fees, quipping, “What kind of nation are we, if we continue to burden our students and their families in this way?”

He said: “I call upon the RESCUE TEAM to rescue Liberian students, parents, guardians, and sponsors from this heavy burden of graduation fees. This is an emergency call. If our lawmakers and the Boakai-Koung administration do not know, let me inform them today: almost all parents, guardians, and sponsors—especially single mothers—are crying out from the heavy burden of graduation fees. It is a burden that the people of Liberia can no longer carry. The load is too heavy. The people want to be rescued, and they want it now!”

The 2023 presidential contender as that the Constitution of Liberia recognizes education as a fundamental right, specifically at Article 6 which emphasizes government’s duty to provide equal access to education.

“Graduation fees violate this obligation, creating a gap between those who can afford to pay and those who cannot,” he opined further. “This discrepancy is not just a financial issue; it undermines the very fabric of our society, limiting opportunities for our brightest minds.”

He continued: “Moreover, as a nation committed to human rights, we must remember that education is recognized as a fundamental human right under various international instruments to which Liberia is a signatory. It is time we align our practices with our principles. By eliminating graduation fees, we can create a more equitable educational landscape where every student, regardless of their financial situation, can walk across that stage with pride.”

He urged President Boakai to consider the pressing matter and issue an executive order abolishing graduation fees across all educational institutions in Liberia.

“This would not only alleviate a significant burden on families but also reaffirm the government’s commitment to the rights and aspirations of all Liberians,” he opined.

“The integrity of the rescue team depends on how it deals with issues such as the urgent need to get rid of graduation fee because it is an issue that is at the core of family happiness and national development.”

He emphasized that Liberian stands on the threshold of change, calling upon each citizen —educators, parents, students, and citizens—to support his advocacy initiative to annul graduation fees.

“Together, we can advocate for a system that recognizes and celebrates every student’s achievement without the weight of financial barriers,” Cllr Gongloe stressed.

“Education is not just a right for our children; it is a necessary condition for the development of a country. As the youngest Nobel Lureat Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani girl who stood up for education and women’s rights in the face of adversity said in her speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, ‘One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world.’”

“I say to the President and members of the National Legislature, let us not hinder our future leaders with unnecessary fees, such as graduation fees,” the said. “Today, as we honor our graduates, let us also commit to making education accessible for all. Together, let us pave the way for a brighter and more equitable Liberia. The education of all our children is the only way to rescue Liberia and change it for the better. With no graduation fee, a better Liberia is possible.”

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