Monrovia – Thirteen private health (nurse, nurse aid institutions) operating illegally in the country have been ordered shut down by the Government of Liberia, through the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) and warned to close more post-secondary institutions which are operating criminally.
Prof. David S. Dahn, the Acting Director General of the NCHE said the health institutions do have neither Operational Permit nor Provisional Accreditation from the Commission and have been offering degrees and diplomas educational programs illegally.
He stressed that the Health Assistant Schools Association of Liberia (HASAL) does not have the legal authority to give accreditation permits or licenses.
Those health institutions which were ordered shut down with immediate effect include T. FIVE Nursing School, Miracle Center of God Nursing Aid-Training Institute (Soul Clinic Community, New Kaymah Town); IEFUD Institute of Professional Studies (Old Road, Congo Town); Florence Nightingale Institute of Health Science (Living Bread Ministries INC, Red-Light, Paynesville city); and St. John Medical School (LBS Community, Paynesville City).
Others are Soko Sacicer Nursing School (LBS Lover Street, Paynesville City); William Thomas School of Health Science (Jacob’s Town, Somalia Drive Paynesville); Peace Home School of Health Assistant (Neezoe Community, Somalia drive Paynesville); Faith Clinic Nursing School (Red-Light, Paynesville City); Faith Institute of Medical Arts (New Kaymah Town, Soul Clinic Paynesville); Kelthy’s School of Health (Kpelleh Mansion 2nd Junction, City View Lower Johnsonville); Leomor V. School of Health (Morris Farm, Paynesville City); Markue Health Assistant Institute (Logan Town, Bushrod Island).
The Acting NCHE Director General made the disclosure on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 in the headquarters of the NCHE on SD Cooper Road, Paynesville.
“Today, we have called you to inform the public about 13 more illegal post-secondary institutions identified by the NCHE. Interestingly, these bogus institutions identified claim to train and educate students at tertiary level in nursing, nurse-aid, and nurse assistant programs with total disregard to the NCHE. The heads of these concerned institutions were invited for conference, and afterward ordered to seize operations, and close their respective programs,” Prof. Dahn said.
“They were guided to follow the appropriate accreditation procedures by the NCHE, provided they desire to exist legitimately.”
He said: “Appropriately, the Ministry of Justice will be informed to help the effect the shut down.”
Prof. Dahn further said: “As enshrined in the Act that established the Commission of the Higher Education, the NCHE has the following authority: to formulate broad-based policy guidelines for the establishment of institution of higher education in Liberia, and to coordinate and serve as principal liaison between institutions of learning from post-secondary level and to monitor, evaluate and accredit all institutions of higher learning.”
“Improve new and existing programs of higher education for funding, after having satisfied itself of their needs for national development, and to review existing programs at institutions of higher education with the aims of establishing programs of study based on national needs.”
Meanwhile, the Acting Director for the Department of Quality Assurance, Rev. J. Andrew Lablah, said any institutions operating in Liberia without the approval or operational permit by the NCHE is operating in total violation, and anyone attending an institution not accredited by the NCHE is doing so at their own risk.
“Furthermore, any person or persons involved with the operations of post-secondary schools or is intending to venture in such undertaking must seek guidance and approval from the NCHE.
He further announced that beginning next week, tax defrauding tertiary and post-secondary institutions which have granting permit institutions will be announced and shame for failing to pay US$500 annually to the Liberia Revenue Authority, while renewal of permit is free of charge.
However, at least 58 Nurse Assistant Schools and related Nursing Aid Institutions across the country are under the umbrella, the Health Assistant Schools Association of Liberia (HASAL) and have petitioned the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate to enact legislation granting the association a legal status.
But amidst the petition, the NCHE is urging all Nurse Assistant Schools and related Nursing Aid Institutions to have accreditation permits from the NHCHE, but not from NASAL.