Published: July 3, 2026
MONROVIA –– Hundreds of United Methodist University students disrupted normal activities at the school’s Monrovia campus on Friday, protesting a 25 percent tuition and fee increase for the 2026/2027 academic year and demanding that the administration scrap it.
The peaceful demonstration affected classes on the Ashmun Street campus as students marched, chanted slogans and called on the administration to cancel the increase immediately.
The protest came days after the university announced the new tuition structure, saying the increase was approved by the Board of Directors to improve the quality of education and services at the institution.
Students countered that the decision is unfair because many of them and their families are already struggling amid the country’s difficult economic situation.
Reading a petition on behalf of the student body, student leaders said they are not against improvements but believe students should have been consulted before such an important decision. They also said the increase should not take effect while many problems on campus remain unresolved.
“We are not against development,” one student leader said. “But many students are already finding it hard to pay their fees. This increase will make it even more difficult for some students to continue their education.”
The students said many classrooms, laboratories and other learning facilities still need improvement, and argued they should not be asked to pay more when many of the problems affecting learning have not been solved.
The petition demands that the university suspend the 25 percent increase, improve learning conditions on campus and begin discussions with students before making decisions that directly affect them.
The students also called on the Ministry of Education, the National Commission on Higher Education, the Liberia National Students Union, the university’s Board of Directors and other stakeholders to intervene and help resolve the dispute.
Student leaders said they have given the administration seven days to respond. They warned that if no action is taken, they will decide on their next course of action while continuing to pursue peaceful means.
The administration has said the increase is meant to improve the quality of education and provide better services, and that the new tuition and fees were approved after discussions with different stakeholders and will take effect in the new academic year.
Many students said the increase comes at the wrong time. They said the rising cost of living in Liberia is making it harder for parents and guardians to meet their children’s educational needs.
Friday’s protest remained peaceful, with students calling for dialogue instead of confrontation. Security officers monitored the situation while student leaders urged protesters to stay calm and avoid violence.
As of press time, the administration had not said whether it would reconsider the increase. Students said they will keep pressing for a reduction, insisting that quality education should remain affordable for all.
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