Lecturers at the state-run University of Liberia are pushing for the sacking of the institution’s president, Julius Nelson, after declaring a no-confidence vote in him.
It follows the university’s alleged decision to withhold the salaries of about 70 lecturers – who Dr Nelson said were found culpable of drawing full-time salaries while working in two different government institutions.
The protesting lecturers nevertheless have asked President George Weah to dismiss the university head and have vowed to stay away from work.
Dr Nelson told the BBC that the university’s administrators were in discussions with government officials to find an amicable solution to the controversy.
The protest is likely to affect the planned re-opening of the university on 27 June.
Public universities and colleges in the country are facing a funding shortfall following President Weah’s declaration of a tuition-free scheme for students.
University administrators were said not to have been involved in the decision.
Already lecturers at a state-run in the north-eastern region of Nimba have announced that they will boycott work because of lack of support from the government.
Officials at the education ministry have cited the country’s economic difficulties as a reason for the poor funding of universities.
Source: BBC
