Some Universities and community colleges across Liberia have begun preparation for the resumption of classes since the government announces the resumption of classes.
At the Stella Maris Polytechnic a stone throw from the University of Liberia students are seeing moving around campus so as to complete their registration process.
Polytechnic has concluded its orientation for freshman students and has release it academic calendar that will see classes resuming the second of February.
But At the University of Liberia some student leaders have expressed feared that classes might not resume anytime in February.
The student fear is owing to information gathered that the University of Liberia has a serious financial challenge in the resumption of classes.
University of Liberia River Gee Student Association Secretary General Gboto Brooks said, from the various discussions between the student communityand University authority suggests that U.L is not prepared to reopen in February.
“We went for meeting few days ago and even today with University of Liberia and from what they are telling us there is no green light for the University to open in February and what they are telling us that University has run into deficit,” Gboto said.
Gboto said, the reopening of the University depends on national government reopen to the budget submitted by the University authority.
“They do not have money to continue the semester, they say they have made a budget for the reopening of school and school can only open when they have the money they are requesting for,” Gboto added.
Gboto said“The reasons they are giving I think some has logic is in it, without finance the school cannot function it in that vein we are appealing to the national government so that the thousands of students can start school.”
Appearing on the University Radio University of Liberia President Dr. Emmet Dennis said, that the University is uncertain of reopening as announce by government due financial challenges.
Dr. Dennis said the University needs over twenty million from now till August for the University to resume normal schooling activities.
Gboto said, the information obtain from the University authority reveal that over eight thousand students are indebted to the University.
“Before this Ebola the university was operating in deficit, even as I speak to you registration did not ended totally, the record we are viewing, eight thousand students did not pay their tuition,” Gboto added.
Gboto said from what is obtaining, classes might not resume until the government come to the aid of the University.
U.L Student Integration Movement (SIM) Financial SecretaryGabriel Flomo said, uncertainty hangs over the University reopening due towhat he term as financial crisis face by the University.
“The institution is facing financial crisis, there is a big question mark to the reopening of the University of Liberia on the time the government came up with,”Flomo added.
Flomo continues:” we are not saying the University will not open, looking at the time interval it may not open due to the financial issue, the university budget has been undermined due to this Ebola crisis.”
Flomo added, that proper Ebola measures need to be put in place so as to curtail the spread of the virus adding that the University is working in that line.
“The should be regulation that people should follow as it relates to sitting in classes due to Ebola, the University has requested for Ambulances and buses as a means to ensure students are safe,” Flomo said.
Flomo said, the University is requesting for twenty million dollars for a full scale operating beyond the end of the semester prior to the outbreak.
“The university is asking for funding that will revamp the University. The U.L authority is asking for 20 million dollars, even if the central government can give all at least eight percent will be ok for the reopening of the University,” Flomo pleaded.