Veteran Liberian educator and former Deputy Education Minister for Administration, Ambassador Latim Da-Thong, has emphasized his firm support for the establishment of a fair and transparent academic crimes court in Liberia.
“I firmly support the establishment of a “fair” and transparent academic crimes court: No personal targets,” he stressed in a Facebook post on his official page on Sunday, February 4, 2024.
The educational stakeholder noted that in recent discussions surrounding the establishment of an Academic Crimes Court in Liberia, he expressed his willingness by all means as an educator, under a light compulsion to emphasize the critical importance of such a judicial body.
Ambassador Da-Thong believes this initiative, if established properly, will address the pervasive issue of individuals advancing in society through the use of counterfeit educational credentials.
“Beyond mere rectification of personal injustices, the implementation of an Academic Crimes Court serves as a fundamental for national progress, emphasizing the paramount significance of genuine academic achievements,” the renowned educator noted.
The former Deputy MoE Boss indicated that at the heart of this matter lies the principle that the foundation of a prosperous and equitable society must be built on the pillars of honesty and meritocracy.
“Allowing individuals to ascend the social ladder through deceptive academic achievements erodes the very essence of a fair and just society – a message I echoed six years ago during my confirmation as Deputy Minister,” he recounted.
At the same time, Ambassador Latim Da-Thong intimated that the proposed court is not merely a punitive measure, but a safeguard for the integrity of Liberia’s educational system, and the societal fabric as a whole.
