By By: Alphanso G. Kalama,
Monrovia, Liberia — In an open letter to President Joseph N. Boakai, Tiawan Saye Gongloe, the former presidential candidate of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP), has made a heartfelt appeal for the abolition of graduation fees across all educational institutions in Liberia beginning from kindergarten through university. Read More At:
Gongloe argues that these fees impose an undue financial burden on families, often overshadowing the celebratory nature of graduation.
Gongloe’s letter highlights the distress experienced by many parents, including one mother in Paynesville who faced the challenge of paying graduation fees for her three graduating children. “Instead of celebrating their achievements, many families are left anxious and unhappy during graduation season,” he noted, emphasizing the need for government action.
Historically, Liberia did not impose graduation fees, a practice that coincided with a more prosperous economic era in the 1960s and 1970s. Gongloe reflects on this period, recalling a time when the country boasted thriving industries that provided jobs and disposable income. He contrasts this with the current economic landscape, where job scarcity makes the imposition of such fees particularly burdensome.
Citing the Liberian Constitution, which recognizes education as a fundamental right, Gongloe argues that graduation fees undermine this principle by restricting access for those unable to pay. He urged the president to issue an executive order abolishing these fees, a move he believes would not only alleviate financial strain but also reaffirm the government’s commitment to equitable education for all Liberians.
Gongloe’s appeal aims to spark public discussion on this pressing issue, urging citizens to voice their opinions on the elimination of graduation fees. His letter serves as both a call to action and a reflection of the broader economic challenges faced by many families in Liberia today.
