By Amos Harris
The Government of Liberia has clarified reports surrounding the Liberia–Morocco Annual Bilateral Scholarship Program, emphasizing that it has not abandoned or arbitrarily withdrawn valid financial aid from Liberian students studying in the Kingdom of Morocco. According to the Ministry of Education, the current administrative challenges involve only a limited number of scholarship beneficiaries whose approved funding periods have expired, contrary to recent public reports suggesting that active students were left stranded without state support.
The Ministry explained that while some beneficiaries have successfully completed the academic programs covered under their original scholarship agreements, others have requested additional government funding to pursue advanced or secondary degrees beyond the terms of their initial contracts. Authorities disclosed that more than 147 Liberian students are currently enrolled within the approved duration of the Liberia–Morocco Bilateral Scholarship Program and continue to receive regular government support, including their monthly stipends.
The clarification was announced by Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing held on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Minister Piah stated that the circumstances highlighted in a recent FrontPage Africa publication do not accurately reflect the Government’s overall commitment to supporting Liberian scholars benefiting from the partnership with Morocco.
He maintained that the administration remains fully committed to fulfilling all valid scholarship obligations but noted that some beneficiaries have remained in Morocco long after their approved scholarship periods ended. Some of these individuals have reportedly enrolled in additional academic programs without prior government authorization, while others have voluntarily stayed in the country after graduation.
According to Minister Piah, government-funded scholarships are designed to provide strategic educational opportunities for qualified Liberians and are not intended to become indefinite benefits for a fixed number of recipients. He warned that extending scholarship support beyond approved timelines or financing unauthorized academic programs places additional financial pressure on the national budget and limits the state’s ability to offer similar opportunities to other deserving Liberian students waiting for aid.
Moving forward, the Government has announced the formal opening of applications for the 2026–2027 Liberia–Morocco Annual Bilateral Scholarship Program cycle. Officials noted that this step reaffirms the administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality higher education through international academic partnerships while ensuring the sustainability of state resources.
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