The Liberian Senate has opened an investigation into the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) following its recent closure of more than thirty tertiary and post-secondary institutions across the country. The Senate’s decision comes in response to mounting public concerns and a formal communication from Lofa County Senator Cllr. Joseph Jallah, who has described the NCHE’s actions as abrupt, disruptive, and lacking due consultation.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Senator Jallah called the Commission’s decision a matter of urgent national concern, stating that such sweeping measures should not occur without prior engagement with stakeholders, affected communities, or elected representatives. He emphasized that while regulatory enforcement and academic quality control are necessary, the sudden and extensive shutdown of institutions raises serious legal, social, and policy questions that demand the Senate’s immediate attention.
Senator Jallah’s communication pointed out that the NCHE’s move appears to reflect either a failure over time to properly monitor and support these institutions or a sudden policy shift not adequately communicated to the public. He questioned how institutions allowed to operate for years without sufficient oversight could now be deemed illegitimate without warning or remedy. The closures, he noted, have left thousands of Liberian students—many from rural and underprivileged backgrounds—without a clear academic future. These students, he said, invested their hopes, resources, and time in institutions that have now been delegitimized, creating deep psychological and financial distress for families and communities.
Additionally, the Senator expressed concern over the loss of employment and reputational damage to faculty, administrative staff, and service providers associated with the affected institutions. He argued that the broader impact of the closures stretches beyond individual campuses, affecting national education goals, employment, and regional development.
He also raised questions about the NCHE’s operational transparency, criteria for accreditation, and accountability processes. He called on the Senate to examine whether the Commission acted within its legal mandate, followed principles of due process, and considered the socio-economic consequences of its decisions.
In his statement, Senator Jallah urged the Senate to seek a full explanation from the NCHE leadership, along with a detailed account of the institutions affected, including their names, locations, student populations, and prior accreditation statuses. He also requested a thorough disclosure of the Commission’s assessment criteria and whether institutions were given notice or time to comply. Furthermore, he called for the presentation of a recovery plan for displaced students and employees and an outline of support measures from the Ministry of Education or related agencies.
The Senate, responding to the gravity of the matter, has since mandated its Committee on Education to investigate and report back with findings and recommendations. The committee is expected to begin work immediately and present its report in the coming weeks.
This development has ignited national debate over the balance between educational reform and access. While many agree on the need to eliminate substandard institutions, others argue that a more consultative and phased approach could have prevented the widespread disruption now unfolding. As the Senate moves forward with its probe, the country awaits answers, clarity, and a path toward restoring public confidence in the higher education sector.
