Liberia to Become a Breeding Ground for Education Fraudsters?

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by deanhughson, Aug 4, 2005.

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  1. deanhughson

    deanhughson New Member

    http://allafrica.com/stories/200508040283.html



    Liberia to Become a Breeding Ground for Education Fraudsters?

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    Liberian Observer (Monrovia)

    OPINION
    August 3, 2005
    Posted to the web August 4, 2005

    Joseph S. Sherman


    Joseph S. Sherman wonders how can Liberia accomplished education goals when certain individuals have taken short cuts to acquire and issue bogus credentials to the detriment of the nation and its workforce?

    The controversy surrounding the St. Luke Medical School, which according to reports many medical practitioners denounced its existence in Monrovia, signals danger looming over the educational system in Liberia. Besides this latest controversy, it has become a hard, cold fact that fraudsters in collaboration with unscrupulous Liberians have infiltrated the educational system in order to make money.

    The famous case of a non-existing St. Regis University alleged to be located in Liberia, where fraudsters issue fake degrees, diplomas, and fabricated transcripts is something the government of Liberia and the Ministry of Education should investigate thoroughly to save the credibility of the country's educational institutions from international disrepute.

    Education fraud is a serious problem; it creates a lot of harm and damages to the socio-economic development of a country. Human resources perceived to be the bedrock of a nation's development will be polluted and disoriented because of the series of misrepresentations designed by fraudsters to deceive their prey.

    Providing quality education to every Liberian is central to strengthening democracy and promoting development in the country. Also the human right to food or quality health care means that the government must do everything possible to protect these social sectors because it occupies a central place in Human Rights and is essential and indispensable for the exercise of development. None of the civil, political, economic and social rights can be exercised by individuals unless they have received quality education and health care.

    How can this be accomplished in Liberia when certain individuals have taken short cuts to acquire and issue bogus credentials to the detriment of the nation and its workforce? The government of Liberia should initiate a campaign not only to restore Liberia's international image but also to clean up the country of educational fraudsters. This could be done by implementing the following education fraud prevention hints:

    Develop an anti-fraud education policy and culture which ensures that educationally prudent measures are taken.

    Encourage a whistle-blowing philosophy in all learning institutions in the country, so that all suspicious credentials from so-called foreign Universities or institutions are scrutinized to the fullest.

    The Ministry of Education or Health should take hard line on culprits. Give a clear message that they will be caught or prosecuted in a competent court of law.

    Relevant Links

    West Africa
    Crime and Corruption
    Liberia
    Education




    Finally, another trick fraudsters use in education fraud is to use a name of a school or an identical name of a famous school in USA, UK, Asia, or Europe. If the famous school has not registered in Liberia then anyone else can registered the name without any affiliation with the original school at all. In this regard, the Ministry of Education should not issue an operating license to the school nor encourage students to enroll in that institution.

    Joseph S. Sherman was former broadcaster at the ELCM Community Radio. He is now Director of a Multi-Cultural Adult Education Center in Washington, DC
     
  2. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    This is old news.

    They have been a Breeding Ground for Education Fraudsters.

    Some changes were made and today there are only fiew legitimate schools there.

    Is the old pracuces accreditation for sale to all that pay comming back? Or never left?
     
  3. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    I do not wish to put words in Dean's mouth but the message that I have received from this news article is that the Liberian people, through a major Liberian news source, are being educated on this issue. This may be old news for those few of us who actively follow such matters but for the vast majority of people, regardless of whether they are living in the US or Liberia, this is a new issue. It is good to see the message getting out.
    Jack
     

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