From whence the numbers?

The story about student protests at the University of Liberia had a few curious features. The claim was that 10,000 would-be students paid fees to apply, but that Dr. Weeks, president of the university, said only 2,000 were going to be allowed to register. It looks like the process was so slow that only 2,000 were registered by the deadline, possibly slowed by people looking for a dash. At any rate, 8,000 students wanted to register, or at least get their fees back. They claim that not getting a university education is unconstitutional(*)

The first article is a little over-the-top ("In other countries or other universities students sit in their bed rooms to register."), but yes, facilities aren't that good and registering, much less getting reimbursed, can be quite difficult.(**)

The story also suggests that Weeks backed down under pressure, and is opening registration--but doesn't make it clear whether this is for some of the 2,000 who hadn't finished the process or for the 8,000. Or if this is going to be a "go slow" process. The UL's budget is \$16 million (some from aid sources)--Liberia is not rich. Tuition is nominal: \$0.80/credit, though this doesn't include fees, and for some families even this can be a hardship. Tuition makes up about 1% of the school's budget.

Who is applying? The spring entrance exam passed 1,661 out of 7,735, and the fall exam passed 1,036 out of 5,243. Unless my calculator is badly mistaken, that suggests an entering class of no more than 2,697, not 10,000.

2000 was the size of November's graduating class.

I think somebody is pulling numbers out of the air.

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(*)"Article 6:
The Republic shall, because of the vital role assigned to the individual citizen under this Constitution for the social, economic and political well being of Liberia, provide equal access to educational opportunities and facilities for all citizens to the extent of available resources. Emphasis shall be placed on the mass education of the Liberian people and the elimination of illiteracy."

The resources aren't there, and the emphasis is on "mass education:" I don't think the students have a solid case. OTOH, the "equal access" doesn't seem to be qualified by whether or not the student is able to master the work--sloppy drafting here.

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(**) I've seen the library. I offered to organize a donation of physics/math books, but the only reply was deeply unserious (leave piles of books at the airport for people to pack into their luggage and bring? really?).