His Excellency George Weah, the president of Liberia has declared all education at public universities tuition free for all undergraduates.
The former AC Milan striker made this declaration during his speech at the University of Liberia where he addressed students complaints while on a state visit yesterday, Wednesday 24th, October 2018. He also assured the gathering that he will make Liberia an example and model to other African countries.
Reports from Liberia indicate that students from the University of Liberia had earlier this year demonstrated against the unfair increments in tuition fees of which the president promised to visit and address their concerns, a pledge he fulfilled yesterday.
He would later take to his official social media platforms to express his excitement upon the milestone.
" Today, I am excited to announce that I have declared the university of Liberia and all other public universities in Liberia Tuition free all undergraduates," the president said.
Liberia boasts of four public universities among which include the University of Liberia, The Booker Washington Institute, Louis Arthur Grimes School Of Law and the William V.S. Tubman University. These are complimented by several other private universities and collages.
George Weah also pledged that all the Liberians will no longer be spectators in their own economy during his inaugural address. The move to offer free education has been welcomed with mixed reactions as some stakeholders have remarked that it is a grand accomplishment towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Liberia while several economists have expressed fear about its impact on the economy.
A case for Public University education in Uganda
On 9th July, 2018, Uganda's premier public university, Makerere led in the way to pass a resolution that saw an increase in the tuition with a 15% on all undergraduate courses. The Makerere University council had earlier on proposed a 49% and 91% increment on specific courses.
The Makerere University vice chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said in a statement that the increase was to help the university in ensuring efficient service delivery to the students saying that all public universities in the East African region had increased their tuition fees over time. The increase was implemented with effect in August this year.
Earlier this year, another public University, Kyambogo, passed a resolution to hike tuition and internship fees by an extra 200, 000/=. The vice chancellor, Prof. Elly Katunguka said that this was to take effect with the next academic year.
The decision was welcomed with mixed reactions in both scenarios.