Monrovia – The Nationwide Fee on Greater Training (NCHE) has launched a sweeping analysis report uncovering widespread deficiencies throughout Liberia’s larger schooling sector. The report highlights long-standing challenges at a number of the nation’s high universities and declares the suspension or closure of 53 tertiary establishments discovered to be working illegally or falling wanting regulatory requirements.
Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor, Director Common of the NCHE, stated the train was a part of efforts to evaluate compliance with primary educational and operational requirements amongst all post-secondary establishments nationwide. In accordance with him, the findings paint a troubling image of the sector, with many establishments failing to fulfill even the minimal necessities for high quality schooling.
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“Following the train, the NCHE discovered that a lot of the larger schooling establishments working in our nation, function underneath challenged situation, with a number of requirement missing,” Dr. Wonkeryor stated. “The train uncovered a number of institutional challenges, together with however not restricted to employees qualification, absence of requisite services comparable to libraries laboratory school lunch, latrines, amongst others. The train additionally discovered some services and directors with doubtful {qualifications} and credentials. There have been additionally instances of noncompliance with regulatory necessities.”
Historic Challenges and Renewed Reforms
Liberia’s schooling system has confronted persistent points over time. In 2013, then-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf infamously described it as “a multitude” in any case 25,000 college students who sat for the College of Liberia’s entrance exams failed. Since then, successive governments have launched measures aimed toward enhancing the sector, however gaps stay.
The NCHE’s newest report cites ongoing violations, together with failure to pay annual service charges and the unauthorized addition of educational applications—each in violation of nationwide coverage. The Fee stated these findings demand pressing reform and enforcement.
Among the many establishments reviewed have been a few of Liberia’s flagship universities, together with the College of Liberia (UL), Cuttington College, African Methodist Episcopal College (AMEU), African Bible Faculty College (ABCU), and Tubman College (TU). Whereas these establishments weren’t suspended, the NCHE has issued a one-year ultimatum to handle persistent administrative, infrastructural, and educational shortcomings.
Dr. Wonkeryor famous that at present, 79 faculties and universities are chartered, licensed, and/or accredited by the NCHE throughout 12 counties. He clarified the distinctions amongst these statuses:
- Chartered establishments are created by legislative enactment.
- Accredited establishments have met threshold requirements for educational high quality.
- Licensed establishments are accredited to function, having glad the minimal necessities associated to integrity, sustainability, certified instruction, and pupil evaluation.
High quality Assurance Drive and Methodology
Dr. Wonkeryor emphasised that the pursuit of high quality in larger schooling has pushed the NCHE’s reform agenda. The most recent “High quality Assurance Evaluation,” launched in November 2024, was designed to look at institutional operations and applications, making certain compliance with the Fee’s requirements.
The evaluation had two key targets together with reforming the sector to advertise aggressive and high-quality schooling aligned with Liberia’s nationwide growth agenda advert making certain establishments adjust to NCHE’s established high quality requirements and operational tips.
The train, he stated, was carried out by groups of educators, regulators, and members of the NCHE Board of Commissioners. It concerned administration interviews, facility inspections, and doc verification, together with employees {qualifications}.
The analysis targeted on seven strategic areas together with institutional governance and administration, educational applications and curriculum school and administrative {qualifications}, services and infrastructure, pupil assist providers, analysis and neighborhood engagement and monetary administration and sustainability
4-Tier Classification and Institutional Motion
Following the evaluation, establishments have been categorized into 4 teams: Class A – Accredited/chartered establishments with challenges; Class B – Accredited/licensed establishments with challenges; Class C – Establishments whose licenses are suspended resulting from falling under larger schooling requirements and Class D – Unlawful establishments working with out NCHE approval, now shut down instantly
Establishments in Classes A and B, he stated have been discovered to lack enough school, correct studying environments, libraries, laboratories, and in some instances, employed employees with faux credentials. Whereas they’re permitted to proceed operations for now, they’ve been knowledgeable of the precise deficiencies that should be addressed. Failure to reply satisfactorily will lead to suspension or closure.
Establishments in Class C have been cited for extra failures, together with lack of strategic and monetary planning, and working with out correct infrastructure. These have had their licenses suspended with speedy impact and are inspired to collaborate with the NCHE to resolve points.
Class D establishments—these discovered to be working illegally—have been shut down instantly. The Fee warned these entities to observe the right procedures earlier than resuming any type of larger schooling operation in Liberia.
Public Response and Institutional Response
The NCHE’s actions have triggered a wave of public reactions. Whereas many Liberians welcomed the crackdown on bogus establishments, others known as for improved coordination between authorities companies to keep away from penalizing official applications.
One such response got here from Gonet Academy, which was listed amongst establishments allegedly working illegally.
“Gonet Academy has taken observe of a current publication by the Nationwide Fee on Greater Training itemizing our establishment amongst these ‘working illegally’,” stated Mohammed Kerkulah, Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of GonetAfrica Inc., which oversees the academy.
“We want to make clear and inform the general public that Gonet Academy is a legally registered and accredited establishment underneath GonetAfrica Inc., working underneath the authorization of each the Ministry of Training and the Agricultural and Industrial Coaching Bureau (AITB)—the regulatory authority for Technical and Vocational Training and Coaching (TVET) applications in Liberia.”
The Means Ahead
Regardless of the controversy, the NCHE stays agency in its place. Dr. Wonkeryor reiterated that establishments keen to handle deficiencies will likely be given a chance to regularize their standing.
“This isn’t nearly closing down establishments,” he stated. “It’s about elevating the bar for high quality schooling in Liberia. Our college students deserve higher, and we’re dedicated to making sure that larger schooling establishments meet the requirements that can allow them to thrive.”
