By: Varney Dukuly
MONROVIA: Although many citizens surveyed on the free tuition policy in Liberia expressed support and trust for the policy, they suggest that Liberia’s new government should offer free tuition only for students enrolled in specialized programs that meet national priorities.
The free tuition policy was introduced by the country’s immediate past administration, then, headed by George Manneh Weah, as President.
The roll out of said tuition free policy was marked by criticisms including the delay of salaries for instructors in public universities. But others commended the sharp increase in the enrollment of students as a result of the policy.
Joseph Boakai’s administration may support the free tuition policy but young Liberians between the ages of 18 and 24 years were more in favor of the free tuition policy than older respondents, according to the survey.
“Views of the free tuition policy also differed along party lines: 80% of respondents who identified as members of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) want to maintain the policy while only 16% of the now ruling Unity Party (UP) supporters want to keep it,” said the survey report, titled: “Perception of the Free Tuition Policy and Views”.
The survey is the first so far to be conducted by Chris Tokpah, who is the Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Delaware County Community College in PA.
The survey of 431 respondents highlights the views of Liberians residing in the country and the diaspora.
Less than half of the respondents (46%) agreed that the new government should pay the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination fees for all students across the country. It says, twenty five percent felt that the government should pay the WASSCE fees only for student attending public schools.
While the rest (29%) believe parents should be responsible for paying the WASSCE fees for their children.
“Liberians living outside of Liberia were more in favor of the government paying WASSCE fees for all students (64%) than Liberians living in Liberia (38%),” the survey report added.
The survey also takes into account citizens’ perception on a divided government and the 55th National Legislature.
Citizens interviewed for this survey indicated that it is good thing for the legislature to be headed by a member of the opposition to meet the needs of the ordinary people.
“Moreover, 14% of respondents believe the CDC heading the House of Representatives will make it more difficult for President Joseph Boakai to implement his priorities,” the survey continues.”
“As expected, respondents who voted for UP were more likely to view the CDC heading the House of Representatives as an impediment (27%) to the new government. Contrastingly, 60% of respondents who align with the CDC believe it is a good thing to have a divided government.”
The survey polled the views of respondents who agreed that the new Senate will improve the living condition of ordinary Liberians and same for the House of Representatives.
Liberians living in Liberia, according to the survey, had a slightly lower positive opinion of the Senate (69%) and House of Representatives (59%).
The survey: “Eighty percent (80%) of respondents agreed (48%) or strongly agreed (32%) that the Joseph Boakai government will improve living conditions for ordinary Liberians.
Also, 83% of respondents agreed (51%) or strongly agreed (32%) that the new government will fight corruption.”
It disclosed that Liberians living in Liberia had a lower positive opinion (75%) of the new President’s ability to improve living conditions but were optimistic about his ability to tackle corruption (86%).
