Report by Nyantee togba_nyanteetogba@gmail.com
MONROVIA: The Liberian Senate has summoned Education Minister Professor Ansu Sonnii to appear before plenary this Thursday, September 12,2019 to explain the abrupt hike in tuition and other school-related fees across the country.
The decision by the Senate to cite Minister Sonii followed a communication to that body by Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon.
Senator Dillon in his communication Tuesday said the country in the midst of the high economic hardship, is witnessing an increase in tuition at both public and private institutions across Liberia.
Senator Dillon said as a result of the hike in tuition and other school-related fees, most parents are unable to enroll their children for this current academic year which has already commenced.
He noted that most of the schools are currently selling school materials, including uniforms at a high cost, creating economic burden for struggling parents and guardians.
As it is, the current enrollment at various public and private schools is scaring, and if it doesn’t attract our concern as national policy makers, than something is wrong with us.
The hike in tuition or school fees and other related fees is troubling.
And let me be clear here, the law creating the Ministry of education, empowers and authorizes the Ministry of education to certificate and issue permit for schools to operate in the Republic of Liberia whether public or private schools.
The vary law also authorizes the vary ministry of education to approve the academic instructional and other related curriculum of schools in Liberia.
When you have authority to approve something to happen, it also says you must regulate.
The Ministry of Education must be made to tell us how are they connected and regulating especially the private schools. What is causing the hike, unreasonable hike in tuition this academic school year?
According to Senator Dillon, it is prudent that the Minister of Education provides explanation on how the government intends to address the situation.
