Changsha Metropolis, China – A rising variety of Liberian college students learning in China are expressing concern and uncertainty about returning residence after commencement, citing the dearth of job alternatives and unfair reductions in authorities stipends as main deterrents.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972) | [email protected]
Talking with FrontPage Africa (FPA) in Changsha, Hunan Province not too long ago, Edwina M. Kolleh, Coordinator of the Hunan Union of Liberian College students, made a passionate enchantment to the federal government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to take pressing steps in addressing the challenges confronted by Liberian college students overseas.
“We’re calling on the federal government to create job alternatives for returning college students—not just for these in China however these learning in different international locations as properly,” mentioned Kolleh, a Ph.D. candidate in Public Well being.
Kolleh lamented that extremely certified Liberians—many with grasp’s and doctorate levels—return residence solely to face unemployment and underutilization.
“Think about having a physician go from workplace to workplace and being informed there is no such thing as a area. It’s heartbreaking,” she mentioned. “Folks need to return and contribute, however with out job prospects, they’re discouraged—even afraid—to come back again.”
Stipend Cuts Inflicting Monetary Pressure
Along with job considerations, college students are additionally grappling with what they describe as “unfair” reductions in stipends supplied by the Liberian authorities.
The stipend, which was beforehand US$350 per 30 days throughout former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s Administration, was slashed to US$75 in 2019 with out formal clarification—and college students say the funds are sometimes delayed for months.
“Think about decreasing our stipends by virtually 80 p.c, after which not paying it on time. That is actually irritating,” Kolleh mentioned.
She famous that some college students have gone as much as three months with out receiving any fee, leaving them financially stranded and reliant on casual assist networks simply to outlive in another country.
James Prince Tarley, a bilateral scholarship scholar pursuing a grasp’s diploma in Microbiology, echoed comparable frustrations.
“I’ve been right here for over a 12 months and have solely obtained six months of stipend. We hold interesting via the embassy and the Ministry of Training, however nothing modifications,” Tarley mentioned.
As Secretary Normal of the Hunan scholar union, Tarley added that college students typically resort to “making noise” in chat rooms simply to get consideration from authorities.
Reward for Chinese language Authorities
Regardless of the challenges confronted as a result of restricted assist from their very own authorities, the scholars recommended the Chinese language authorities for its consistency in honoring scholarship obligations.
“With out China’s assist, many people would have dropped out already. Their reliability has helped many people survive,” Kolleh acknowledged.
As Liberia seeks to strengthen its human useful resource base via worldwide scholarship packages, these college students are urging the Boakai administration to prioritize assist for foreign-based Liberian college students—via well timed stipend funds and concrete reintegration insurance policies.
“We need to return. We need to serve. However we additionally need to be handled with dignity and given an opportunity to contribute meaningfully,” Kolleh concluded.
