Liberians’ Perception of the Free-Tuition Policy and Views of the Incoming Government: An Opinion Poll.

Author’s Comments

We are grateful to everyone who responded to the online survey and/or shared the link with other participants. Since perceptions change over time, we intend to conduct future surveys and would like to appeal that you kindly assist us whenever we send out a new link. Your participation is important and could affect policy decisions in our society. Please note that our surveys are anonymous; we cannot trace your response back to you.

 Introduction

The author created this anonymous survey to collect information about Liberians’ perceptions of key educational policies and early opinions of the new government. We distributed the Google-form survey online (via WhatsApp and Facebook) between January 18th and 22nd, 2024. In an earlier survey published by the Daily Observer, we examined citizens’ views on several issues including audit of the previous government, human rights, and service in government (https://www.liberianobserver.com/liberia-priorities-new-liberian-government-opinion-poll).

Limitations

Before presenting key findings, here are limitations: (1) Citizens’ perception is a fluid measure that can change over time depending on prevailing circumstances. The result of the survey reflects current perceptions and could be vastly different in days, weeks, or months from now. (2) The analysis is based on self-reported information. It is quite possible that some respondents did not share their true feelings but provided a socially desirable response. (4) The study used a convenience sample. It is possible that this sample is not truly representative of the population.

Demographics

The survey had 431 respondents. The majority (62%) of respondents were males. In terms of age group, 5% of respondents were between the ages of 18 to 24, 29% were between the ages of 25 to 35, 17% were between the ages of 36 to 45, 39% were between the ages of 46 to 60, while the rest (9%) were more than 60 years old. Seventy-seven percent of respondents earned a bachelor’s degree (41%) or a master’s degree (36%). Thirteen percent (13%) indicated that they had college credits but did not graduate, 6% were high school graduates, 1% had a technical certificate, and the rest (3%) had a doctorate. Most respondents (71%) were Liberians living in Liberia, 26% were Liberians who reside outside of Liberia, while the rest (3%) described themselves as “Liberians who reside in Liberia part of the time”.

In terms of political affiliation, 43% of respondents were members of the Unity Party (UP), 39% stated that they do not sympathize with any political party, 6% were members of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), while the rest (12%) indicated that they are members of other political parties. Sixty-five percent (65%) of respondents indicated that they participated in the second round of the 2023 Presidential elections. Of those who voted in the second round, 93% picked Joseph Boakai of the UP (the new President), while 7% preferred George Weah (the former President) of the CDC.

Findings

Free-tuition policy at public universities

When asked whether the new government should continue the free-tuition policy at public institutions, only 34 percent (34%) of respondents were in favor. Twenty-three percent (23%) felt that the free tuition policy has led to a decrease in the quality of education at public universities and want the government to abolish it. The rest (43%) suggested that the new government should offer free tuition ONLY for students enrolled in specialized programs that meet national priorities. As expected, support for the free tuition policy was a function of age: respondents between the ages of 18 and 24 years old were more in favor of the free tuition policy (75%) than older respondents (32%). Views of the free tuition policy also differed along party lines: 80% of respondents who identified as members of the CDC want to maintain the policy while only 16% of UP supporters want to keep it.

Payment of WASSCE fees for high school students

Less than half of respondents (46%) agree that the new government should pay the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for all students across Liberia. Twenty-five percent (25%) felt that the government should pay the WASSCE fees ONLY for students attending public (government) schools, while the rest (29%) believe parents should be responsible for paying the WASSCE fees for their children. Liberians living outside of Liberia were more in favor of the government paying WASSCE fees for all students (64%) than Liberians living in Liberia (39%). Also, views of the free tuition policy differed across party lines: 60% of respondents who identified as members of the CDC want to maintain the policy, while only 48% of UP supporters want to keep it.

Perception of a divided government

Asked to offer an opinion of a divided government 40% of respondents think ” CDC heading the House of Representatives is a good thing for Liberia because this will require opposition parties to work together to meet the needs of ordinary Liberians”. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of respondents agree that “It doesn’t matter who heads the House of Representatives because Liberian politicians often switch parties to join the ruling party”. Additionally, 9% of respondents believe “It doesn’t matter who heads the House of Representatives since the newly elected leaders are dishonest and easily susceptible to manipulation”. Moreover, 14% of respondents believe the CDC heading the House of Representatives will make it more difficult for Joseph Boakai to implement his priorities (Note: Hon. Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence, who supported UP in the elections, heads the Senate). As expected, respondents who voted for UP were more likely to view the CDC heading the House of Representatives as an impediment (27%) to the new government. Contrastingly, 60% of respondents who align with the CDC believe it is a good thing to have a divided government.

Perception of the Legislature

Seventy-one percent (71%) of respondents agree (61%) or strongly agree (10%) that the new Senate will improve living conditions for ordinary Liberians. Additionally, 61% of respondents agree (58%) or strongly agree (3%) that the new House of Representatives will improve living conditions for ordinary Liberians. Liberians living in Liberia had a slightly lower positive opinion of the Senate (69%) and House of Representatives (59%). Moreover, only 60% of respondents who voted for CDC had a positive opinion of the new Legislature.

Perception of the Executive

Eighty percent (80%) of respondents agree (48%) or strongly agree (32%) that the Joseph Boakai government will improve living conditions for ordinary Liberians.

Also, 83% of respondents agree (51%) or strongly agree (32%) that the new government will fight corruption. Liberians living in Liberia had a lower positive opinion(75%) of the new President’s ability to improve living conditions but were optimistic about his ability to tackle corruption (86%).

About the Author

Chris Tokpah is the Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Delaware County Community College in PA. He holds a Ph.D. in Program Evaluation and Measurement, an MBA (with emphasis in Management Information Systems), and a B.Sc. in Mathematics. He is an Adjunct Professor of Research Methods and Statistics (Ph.D. program) at Delaware Valley University and an independent consultant. He has participated in, or supervised, baseline studies and evaluations sponsored by the World Bank, IDA, Geneva Global, USAID, and ADB. His email address is ctokpah@kent.edu.