By Grace Q. Bryant
The House of Representatives has mandated its committee on Education to lunch an investigation into UL Faculty and Staff Association’s disengagement to Expedite Resolution.
The body took the decision following a communication by Montserrado County District 13 Rep., Edward Flomo, and a motion from Rep. Jerry Yorgbor of District 12, Montserrado County.
The recent decision by the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association (ULFASA) to disengage from all academic activities has put a complete halt to all academic activities at the country’s highest learning institution – the University of Liberia.
The decision by the ULFASA to suspend academic activities until their demands are addressed, has created serious constraints on all academic activities for students and risks further disruptions to the academic calendar.
The ULFASA has cited grievances related to the payment of part-time lecturers, payroll audits, and digitization of staff systems, poor sanitation, among others, as key issues leading to their disengagement.
The Montserrado County District 13 lawmaker informed his colleagues that prompt action must be taken to investigate the concerns raised by the ULFASA and facilitate a resolution that will enable the resumption of normal academic activities at the University of Liberia, adding that, given the critical role of the University of Liberia in providing higher education to thousands of students and contributing to the development of our nation, all parties involved must work towards a swift and amicable resolution.
Rep. Flomo requested that the House of Representatives conduct an investigation into the grievances of the ULFASA and engage in dialogue with relevant stakeholders to find a mutually beneficial solution, noting that by addressing the issues raised by the ULFASA and facilitating constructive dialogue, both parties can ensure the smooth functioning of academic activities at the University of Liberia and uphold the educational opportunities for the students who rely on the institution for their studies and prospects, thereby calling on his colleagues to prioritize this matter and work towards a timely resolution that benefits all parties involved.
According to him, there have been serious issues regarding the movement of people at the University of Liberia’s Part-Time Teacher Association academic year, adding that the administration failed to help in reaching an agreement with the teachers on several issues.
“One of the main issues was about the salary, which we agreed that the administration would take full responsibility for paying them monthly and before the deadline. However, this concern has not been addressed yet,” he noted
He stressed that the association also requested that all the deducted money should be paid back. If this is not done, there will be no academic activities at the University of Liberia, stating, “Currently, the University has more than 40,000 students since the 19th of this month, and nobody wants any disruption in academic activities.”
