By Archie Boan
Graduating students of the Adventist University of West Africa (AUWA) in Scheiffelin Town, Margibi County, have petitioned the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) and the Ministry of Education over what they describe as “excessive and exploitative” graduation fees.
In a formal petition addressed to NCHE Commissioner Dr. Cecelia Cassell and Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, the students raised concern over a mandatory graduation fee totaling US$755, which they say is unaffordable for many graduating students amid current economic hardship.
The students are requesting urgent intervention to halt planned June graduation activities until a review is conducted. They are also calling for a significant reduction in the fees to reflect “present economic realities” and for no academically cleared student to be denied participation due to inability to pay.
The petition further questioned an alleged US$450 charge described as unexplained and separate from itemized costs covering souvenirs, project or thesis processing, gowns, and transcripts totaling US$305. The students are demanding that the fee structure be reviewed, refunds or adjustments be made where necessary, and accountability measures be instituted against the university administration.
Among their demands, the students also called for stronger financial oversight mechanisms by education regulators and a formal commitment from the university to prevent future fee-related grievances.
The petitioners have given authorities a three-day ultimatum to respond and urged dialogue between students and university officials to resolve the matter peacefully.
