It is imperative to state clearly that this policy did not go through a proper scrutiny with the relevant stakeholders before making its way in the public. We encourage Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah to re-strategize and improve this policy.
Let the Ministry of Education be REMINDED that this policy violates the rights of every Liberian, including students, to peacefully assemble, march, move, walk, dance or whatever in Liberia with the sole purpose of exercising their constitutional rights – freedom of expression and enjoyment of civil liberties. This is guaranteed under article 17, 11 b and c, of the Liberian Constitution.
If the argument is that students or schools are known to have engaged in street disturbances, then article 15 of the Liberian constitution should be applied to penalize schools that deviate from the true essence of Gala Day Celebration (freedom of expression or exercise of joy) to engage in street disturbances.
Article 15 of the Liberian constitution is very clear: it says people have their rights to freedom of expression, but they can be held liable if they violate the rights of others. So, the Ministry must encourage the police to arrest and prosecute school administrators if their schools engage in any form of street disturbances during Gala Day Celebration. Simple!
The restriction of Gala Day Celebration is unacceptable and is considered a gross violation of freedom of expression and assembly, which is guaranteed under our constitution.
This is the most draconian and undigested policy from the Ministry of Education I have seen in recent times.
REMINDER
This policy speaks of gross discrimination against the youth and student community in this country.
Let me make this unequivocally clear that students are not the only people known for parading the streets across Liberia in celebration of their schools’ anniversaries. In fact, they have been more peaceful, well-organised and disciplined than any groups of Liberians in this country, who often parade the streets in celebration of their anniversaries, observance of certain ritual rites, political rallies and funerals.
There are sequences of funeral parades, religious celebrations, political parades, organisational parades, etc. that are consistently carried out in this country. In most instances, they disturb the streets, causing unnecessary traffic and destruction of properties, especially during political rallies. The Ministry didn’t see that as a disturbance of the streets, but wants to blame the schools?
Sometimes those political rallies compelled schools to close unexpectedly, thereby impeding the learning of our children.
If the intent of this policy is to RESTORE Public Order or stop street disturbances, it should be APPLIED against everyone, who takes to the streets across the country to engage in parades in commemoration of their religious anniversaries, funerals, political rallies, organisational celebrations, etc.
Students are Liberians and the constitution forbids any form of discriminatory policy in the exercise of their constitutional rights and freedom of expression
Here is what the Ministry of Education and the Liberia National Police should do:
A “measurable fee” must be charged for various categories of street parades. Those wanting to engage in street parades should pay said amount to the police. This will increase police presence and economically facilitate their operations to protect the marchers.
Already, there are laws on our books that allow Liberian citizens, including the very schools the Ministry is taking about to seek permits from the police to engage in street marches or assemble anywhere in an orderly manner to have an event.
So, restricting schools from parading the streets in commemoration of Gala Day Celebrations, is an automatic violation of the very policy and it’s unfortunate.
If fees are charged, we will have more police officers assigned to every school during Gala Day Celebration to prevent street disturbances or chaos as alleged by the Minister of Education.
In fact, if these “measurable fees” are charged for all parades across the country, whether funeral, political, school, organisations, religious and ritual parades across the country, the police would generate more money to ensure lives and properties are protected and order restored during these events, because they will be handsomely rewarded to do their job effectively.
Assuming the police decides to charge $500USD as a minimum fee for anyone or organisation, including schools to engage in street parade depending on the size of the marchers or nature of the parade, the police will smile.
Do you know how much will be generated monthly for the police? When the police collect these fees, you can be guaranteed that they will be effective, efficient and prepared to serve, protect and discourage all forms of street disturbances during street parades that the Minister of Education is talking about.
In conclusion, I think the Ministry of Education overreacted, and it’s unfortunate it didn’t see these legal implications coming.
It’s still not late; rethink this draconian decision and refine the policy to ensure the constitution is respected by ALL LIBERIANS while also achieving your aim of preventing public disturbances and disorders during street parades by students.
