The University of Liberia-based Students Unification Party (SUP) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the President Joseph Boakai-led Administration, to immediately settle liabilities owed the University of Liberia Faculty Association.
The campus-based student movement warned against what they term as “politicization of education at the institution”. They frown on the indefinite closure of the nation’s highest institution of learning; and demand for its immediate reopening.
SUP, in a statement issued Monday, February 26, said that they are under obligation to protect and defend the educational, social, political, and economic rights and interests of the over 20,000 students, who are seeking education at the University of Liberia, as such, the indefinite closure is intended to deprive them of education.
The party has threatened to carry out unspecified actions, if the government remains adamant to not announce the resumption of classes.
SUP Chairman Kwein W. Karin noted in the release, that as a progressive institution, the party sees education as a non-negotiable commodity and it should be given to every citizen free without any further demand from them.
‘Education as promised by the Boakai-Koung Administration in their ARREST agenda, must be accessible, affordable, available, efficient, effective, productive and quality,” Chairman Kwein stressed.
According to him, SUP as a vanguard party, will never allow the indelible and vigorous thirst for quality education by Liberians to go unattainable..
Quoting Article “6” of the Liberian Constitution, SUP noted that it will alway stand tall to ensure the inalienable rights of Liberians to the letter.
“In legality with the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, Article 6 indicates, “The Republic shall, because of the vital role assigned to the individual citizen under this Constitution for the social, economic and political well-being of Liberia, provide equal access to educational opportunities and facilities for all citizens to the extent of available resources,” the statement maintained.
The party further noted that key emphasis should be placed on the education of Liberians and the elimination of illiteracy.
SUP sees this as a compulsory right under the organic law of Liberia, adding that it must never be ignored by the Boakai-Koung government.
With the aforementioned legal principle and guidance as provided for by law, SUP calls on the Boakai-Koung government to expeditiously settle the liabilities of the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) without any further delay, as part of the first public test to be administered to President Boakai.
At the same time, the Kwein-led SUP leadership stressed that the University of Liberia must continue to be an independent or autonomous institution that should not be merged with political parties.
Therefore, SUP is reminding UL President Julius S. Nelson, that education is not a political commodity, but rather a constitutional right that must never be politicized.
The party also assures the Administration of the University of Liberia and the Boakai-Koung government, that failure on their part to open the University of Liberia after the 72-hour ultimatum, will lead to a mass rally of over 20,000 students that will lead to a massive protest action.
