MONROVIA, Jan 14 (LINA) – An Act seeking to legislate “A Special Education Fund To support and sustain the tuition-free scheme for the University of Liberia and all public Universities and colleges, has been submitted to the House of Representatives by Montserrado County District #5 Representative Thomas Fallah.
The Fund will also cover the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) fees for ninth and twelfth graders in Liberia.
Speaking when the Act was submitted to the Plenary of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Representative Fallah said when established by law, the Act will mitigate the current economic inequality by increasing college enrollment as well as lowering pressure on students and parents, and improving completion term of studies, especially amongst students of lower income families.
Among other things, the Montserrado County lawmaker indicated that the payment of WASSCE fees for both private and public schools ninth and twelfth graders will help to reduce the financial burden on students and parents, adding that it will also cause an increase in senior high enrollment and academic outputs amongst the student populace.
Fallah indicated that considering that education is fundamental to the growth and development of any nation, the legislation, when passed, will also seek to positively affect the country’s educational system.
« Weeks ago we were involved in this political campaign and we made some commitment to the people of Montserrado and by extension the people of Liberia as it relates to our 90-day deliverables if we were elected Senator. Unfortunately it didn’t work but we are going to stick to our commitment, » Rep. Fallah said.
He thanked President George M. Weah for his farsightedness over the years for bringing relief to the Liberian people by instituting tuition free education at the University of Liberia and the payment of WASSCE fees, adding that it has impacted a lot of Liberians and as such there is a need for enactment.
The communication from the Montserrado County lawmaker was sent to the Committees on Education and Ways, Means and Finance to conduct a financial impact analysis and report to Plenary in two weeks.
