The Plenary of the House of Representatives has taken a significant step toward addressing the mounting challenges at the University of Liberia (UL) by mandating its Committee on Education to launch a full-scale probe into the institution’s current operational state and budgetary needs.
The decision follows a communication from Montserrado County District #1 Representative Hon. Barry, calling for an increment in the annual budgetary allotment to the University of Liberia from Thirty-Three Million United States Dollars (US33,000,000) to Forty−Five Million United States Dollars(US45,000,000).
In her communication to Plenary, Hon. Barry emphasized that her district, which hosts the University’s Fendell Campus, is burdened with the growing realities of the institution’s constraints. She said she is compelled by “duty, conscience, and national responsibility” to raise the matter before the august body, highlighting the plight of the over 22,000 students currently enrolled at the state-run university. Representative Barry cited several pressing concerns, including deteriorating infrastructure with many buildings across UL campuses in disrepair, posing serious risks to student safety and learning effectiveness. She also noted the lack of basic utilities and equipment, with classrooms reportedly overcrowded and poorly equipped, insufficient chairs, unreliable water supply, inadequate sanitary facilities, and outdated laboratory and library materials. Furthermore, Representative Barry highlighted a deficiency in modern learning materials, stating that the University struggles to provide adequate contemporary instructional content, including textbooks and digital resources essential for quality higher education.
Following deliberations on the House floor, a motion was proffered by Bong County District #2 Representative Hon. James M. Kolleh, mandating the House Committee on Education to conduct a public hearing. The hearing will require the authorities of the University of Liberia to appear and provide a comprehensive presentation justifying the requested budget increment, as well as to outline the institution’s ongoing challenges and proposed interventions.
