Lofa Community College president warns salary disparities could weaken academic standards, trigger institutional unrest and undermine higher education in rural Liberia
MONROVIA – Presidents of public universities and colleges across Liberia are calling on the national government to address salary disparities, improve staff welfare and increase funding for research and infrastructure at regional institutions, warning that continued neglect could threaten the quality and stability of higher education outside Monrovia.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The university leaders made the call during a public hearing held by the Liberian Senate on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, where Dr. Isaac Podah, president of Lofa Community College in Lofa County, presented their concerns and recommendations on behalf of the presidents of public colleges and universities across the country.
In their petition to lawmakers, the university administrators argued that significant differences in salaries and benefits between the University of Liberia and regional institutions were making it increasingly difficult for rural universities to attract and retain qualified academic staff.
They warned that the situation could lead to the departure of experienced lecturers, weaken teaching and research, disrupt academic calendars and diminish public confidence in Liberia’s higher education system if urgent measures are not taken.
Salary disparities raise concerns over lecturers’ welfare
A major concern raised by the university presidents was the difference in monthly salaries paid to lecturers at the University of Liberia and those employed by public universities in rural counties.
According to the petition, lecturers at the University of Liberia with master’s degrees earn approximately US$1,850 per month, compared with about US$500 at Margibi County University and US$650 at Bomi County University.
The university leaders said such disparities place regional institutions at a disadvantage in competing for qualified professionals, particularly when rural universities are expected to provide quality education and produce the skilled workforce needed to support development across the country.
They warned that without a coordinated national policy addressing salaries, benefits and working conditions, rural institutions could face growing difficulties retaining experienced lecturers and maintaining consistent academic standards.
The presidents stressed that improving academic staff welfare should be treated as a national priority rather than an isolated concern for individual institutions.
Rural universities described as essential to national development
Dr. Podah emphasized that rural universities play a critical role in decentralizing educational opportunities and promoting balanced development by bringing higher education closer to communities that might otherwise face significant financial and geographical barriers.
He explained that these institutions provide opportunities for students outside major urban centres to pursue higher education while helping develop professionals who can serve their home counties and surrounding communities.
According to the university leaders, rural institutions are particularly important in developing local expertise in agriculture, healthcare, education, natural resource management and enterprise development.
They argued that adequately supporting these institutions would advance the government’s inclusive development agenda by expanding educational access, strengthening human capital and creating economic opportunities beyond Monrovia.
The presidents further maintained that investing in rural universities was not a privilege for particular institutions but a strategic national investment capable of reducing migration to urban areas, strengthening local economies and ensuring that development reaches communities throughout Liberia.
Senate urged to establish a national salary and benefits framework
To address the disparities, the university presidents unanimously recommended that the Senate urge the government to establish a transparent national framework for salaries and benefits across public universities and colleges.
They proposed that the framework should provide clear and consistent standards for academic staff compensation while taking into account the financial circumstances and operational needs of individual institutions.
The recommendations also called for the introduction of research allowances, academic performance incentives, life insurance and medical insurance for lecturers and other eligible academic staff.
The university leaders said these measures would improve staff motivation, strengthen institutional stability and create better conditions for teaching, research and professional development.
They also called for dedicated government funding for essential infrastructure, arguing that salary improvements alone would not resolve the challenges confronting rural institutions without adequate classrooms, research facilities and other academic resources.
Tubman University proposed as an interim salary benchmark
Recognizing the financial constraints that could prevent the immediate harmonization of salaries with those at the University of Liberia, the university presidents proposed an interim approach to addressing the problem.
They recommended that the salary structure of Tubman University be used as a temporary benchmark for standardizing salaries at rural universities, subject to a funded implementation plan and periodic review.
The proposal, they said, would provide a practical starting point for reducing existing disparities while allowing the government to work toward a more comprehensive national compensation framework.
The presidents emphasized that any proposed harmonization must be supported by a clear funding arrangement to ensure that salary commitments can be implemented sustainably.
They also advocated distance allowances for institutions facing geographical disadvantages, noting that the locations of some rural universities can create additional challenges in attracting and retaining qualified professionals.
Research funding and infrastructure remain major priorities
Beyond salaries and staff benefits, the university leaders stressed the need for increased investment in research and infrastructure to strengthen the capacity of public universities and colleges.
They argued that rural universities must be equipped to conduct research addressing the specific challenges faced by their communities, including agricultural productivity, public health, education, natural resource management and local economic development.
According to the petition, providing research allowances and performance-based incentives would encourage academic staff to undertake research and contribute to solutions for national and community-level problems.
The presidents also called for equal commitment to academic staff welfare, research funding, insurance and infrastructure, maintaining that these elements are interconnected and necessary for improving the overall quality of higher education.
They warned that continued neglect could intensify institutional dissatisfaction, potentially leading to unrest and disruptions that would affect students, academic staff and the wider education sector.
Call for equitable investment in higher education
The university presidents maintained that strengthening regional institutions should form an important part of Liberia’s broader development strategy.
They argued that students in rural counties deserve access to quality higher education and that public universities outside Monrovia should receive the support necessary to fulfil their responsibilities.
The leaders said a national approach to salaries, benefits, research and infrastructure would help reduce disparities between institutions while strengthening the contribution of higher education to Liberia’s social and economic development.
Their appeal now places renewed attention on the government’s responsibility to develop a sustainable funding framework that addresses the needs of public universities and colleges across the country.
For the university presidents, the central issue is not simply the difference in lecturers’ salaries, but whether rural institutions can attract qualified professionals, maintain stable academic program and provide the skilled workforce Liberia needs for long-term development.
