A prominent Liberian politician, Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe has called on the Liberian government to eliminate all obstacles preventing children from accessing education, from kindergarten through university.
Cllr. Gongloe urged the President of Liberia to issue an Executive Order removing graduation fees and stopping schools from exploiting parents through overpriced uniforms and learning materials. He also emphasized that government must provide subsidies to private schools, noting that they, too, play a crucial role in educating Liberian children.
“Ensuring education is not a matter of convenience; it is a constitutional responsibility,” he said.
Speaking at the commencement ceremony of the Rudolph Kwanue University College (RKUC) in Monrovia, Cllr. Gongloe lamented that Liberia continues to place “unnecessary obstacles” in the path of its children. He cited high tuition, burdensome graduation fees, and the sale of overpriced school uniforms as practices that place families under severe financial pressure.
“Parents are often forced to choose between putting food on the table and sending a child to school,” he noted. “Many students reach the gates of the university only to find that the cost blocks their future. These barriers weaken our nation and undermine the very foundation of development.”
The former presidential candidate in the 2023 elections stressed that education does more than produce graduates — it produces responsible citizens. According to him, an educated population is easier to lead not because it is passive, but because it is informed and discerning.
“They understand national priorities. They evaluate leadership based on ideas rather than propaganda. They insist on accountability, defend democratic values, and demand the rule of law,” he said. “A country with citizens who think critically, and act responsibly is far better prepared for development.”
Cllr. Gongloe referenced global and African examples, noting that no nation has achieved sustained progress without first investing heavily in education. He pointed to Rwanda, Botswana, Mauritius, Seychelles, Namibia, Cape Verde, and Ghana as countries that placed education at the center of their national development strategies.
“They built strong education systems before building major industries. They equipped their citizens with knowledge before expanding their economies,” he said. “These countries are stable and advancing because they understand that human development precedes national development.”
He concluded by emphasizing that education reduces ignorance, increases awareness, and empowers citizens to participate meaningfully in governance.
“A society made up of informed and knowledgeable people is better positioned to grow economically, live peacefully, and hold its leaders accountable,” he said. “National development cannot take root where ignorance dominates or where people are unable to fully engage in shaping the direction of their country. Education provides the clarity, confidence, and competence necessary for progress.”
