MONROVIA , LIBERIA – Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe has expressed grave concerns about the plight of Liberian students currently studying in Morocco. In a communication to the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Senator Snowe described the students’ situation as “deplorable” and stressed the urgent need for the government to address the delayed payment of financial allowances and other challenges facing them.
The senator highlighted that the issue, which has persisted through multiple administrations, is now at a critical point, urging the current government to take immediate action to prevent further jeopardizing the future of these students. According to Snowe, the ongoing financial struggles are placing the students at significant risk, and if not addressed soon, it could have long-term negative effects on their academic progress and overall well-being.
In response to Snowe’s concerns, Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence assured that the issue would be taken up by the Senate upon their return from the pending break. She promised that relevant committees would begin investigating the situation promptly to find a solution for the students in Morocco.
The plight of these students was previously highlighted in a formal resolution titled “To Whom It May Concern!” dated February 27, 2025, where they outlined their severe financial and living hardships. The students revealed that they had been left stranded with inadequate financial support from the government since their arrival in Morocco in November 2024. They claimed that the $150 USD provided to them upon arrival was grossly insufficient to meet their basic survival needs, and since then, they had received no further assistance from the Liberian government.
The resolution also noted that the students had been promised dormitory accommodations, but upon their arrival, no spaces were available. This forced many to rent private housing at an unexpected cost of $60 to $90 USD per month, creating an additional financial burden. Furthermore, due to the late arrival of the students, they faced unexpected charges for residence permits, totaling $80 to $100 USD per student, and were also required to pay registration fees of up to $100 USD, which had not been disclosed prior to their departure.
These mounting financial difficulties have left many students unable to focus on their studies, with many spending more time worrying about how to survive than about their academic work. The language barrier, with many courses being conducted in Arabic or advanced French, has further complicated their academic progress.
In their resolution, the students are calling for the immediate disbursement of financial allowances to cover the costs they’ve incurred, including rent, registration fees, and residence permit expenses. They are also requesting that future scholarship students be provided with a reliable system of financial support and structured housing arrangements to prevent others from facing the same hardships.
The students, who embarked on this educational journey with the hope of gaining knowledge to contribute to Liberia’s development, say they now feel abandoned and neglected by the government. They are urging immediate action to resolve the issues before the situation worsens further.
Sources indicate that the students have sent a copy of their letter to the Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, to further raise awareness about their dire circumstances. As of now, the students claim they have not received their allowances for nearly five to six months, heightening the urgency of the situation.
