Monrovia – Protesting students of the University of Liberia on Tuesday gathered at the entrance of the Legislature to protest against a proposal to increase tuition from $175 LD approximately US$2 to US$4.00
The students gathered at the Capitol Building to petition lawmakers to intervene in the Board of Trustees’ decision to increase tuition and to also ask the lawmakers to increase the allotment of the University to $29 million United States Dollars.
Recently the President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Emmett Dennis, said the increment in tuition is the result of continual budget shortfall the university has faced over the years.
The students’ petition, amongst many things, called on the Government of Liberia to strive toward all sincere and honest efforts to adequately fund the University through the regular budgetary process to enable the University meet its growth and development agenda.
They also called on the National Legislature to make sure the administration provide all necessary academic infrastructures for students in a bid to provide quality tertiary education. “That the National Legislature intervenes to reverse the current pronounced increment attempt by the Board of Trustees to status quo considering the current state of economy so as to enable underprivileged students continue their academic sojourn,” the petition stated.
Earlier in April, the acting chair of the University Of Liberia Board Of Trustees, Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor said the board met several times during the month of February, precisely on the 19, 24 and 26 to discuss the proposal to increase tuition at the institution.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the Legislature, Senator Steve Zargo of Lofa County and Representative Alex Grant of Grand Gedeh County promised to inform their respective plenaries about their concern for adequate decision.
Henry Karmo (0886522495) [email protected]