By Nasratu Kargbo
An agreement has been reached between the government and the administration of Limkokwing Unversity that could bring to a close two years of quandary and the resumption of classes for hundreds of students to finish their courses at the technology institution. The Minister of Technical and Higher Education Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie disclosed the new development during the weekly government press briefing in Freetown on Thursday 30 September 2021. He said cabinet has given the authorization and the Ministry of Finance has written to the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education for the commencement of payment of backlog tuition fees for government sponsored students at the Limkokwing.
The Minister explained that they would have to pay a fixed amount of money every month to wipe off the entire backlog that stood at 30 billion Leones,or 3 million dollars equivalent. He however said they were given a 50% discount for students who were in year one and two. He said that the government of Sierra Leone would not include a single new sponsored student.
Prof. Wurie explained that law officers had advised them that the agreement was a difficult one and for government to withdraw from it. But he said they could not do so because of the young people involved, stating: “Whatever the administrative lapses, our children would suffer the most”. The Minister said they are bound to support the students, noting they are Sierra Leonean students.
The Minister explained that the then Education Minister the late Dr. Minkailu Bah signed the Limkokwing project single- handedly with the proprietor of the university, and the document was never taken to cabinet or Parliament.
He gave a reassuring tone by calling on the management of Limkokwing university to advertise registration for students, so that they can resume in October.
Head of Limkokwing campus, Agnes Mugo assured the government of the university’s support and revealed they would soon call on the students for registration.
Alhaji Osman Kamara an Information Technology student at Limkokwing said: “The news about our reopening is the best news for the past two years”. He explained that they have been faced with so many obstacles, noting he has spent about 7 years when in a normal situation it should have been 4 years. He expressed frustration,saying colleagues from other institutions with whom they started courses together, were already graduates and some are now working. However, Kamara expressed delight at the news and thanked the government and the university administration for coming to a final agreement.
Speaking to Politico, Martha Mansaray a final year student of Professional Communications received the news with mixed feelings. She explained that she has not been attached to any institution since then and so it’s good news, but again observed the break stopped her from finishing her studies and securing a job to support her family. She hoped the agreement will finally put an end to the uncertainty they faced.
The Minister had on 3rd June this year promised the students that the government would make sure they resume classes this September/October. Frustrated students had to resort to street begging to raise funds for themselves amidst several protests to draw the attention of government to their situation. The present administration on assuming office in 2018, refused to honour the scholarship programme of the previous government, citing concerns over the high cost of tuition fees and the complexities of the agreement between Limkokwing authorities and the then government.
Copyright © Politico Online (05/10/21)
