The House of Representatives has referred a proposed bill seeking to establish the River Cess Community College (RCC) to its joint committee on Education, Ways, Means, Finance, Development Planning, and Judiciary for review. Introduced by Representative Steve Tequah of River Cess County District 2, the bill addresses the county’s long-standing lack of higher education opportunities, a major contributor to its socio-economic challenges.
During the House’s plenary session on Thursday, January 30, 2025, lawmakers agreed to advance the proposal for further scrutiny. If enacted into law, the bill would establish RCC in Cestos City, providing young people in the county with access to higher education and vocational training without needing to relocate to other regions.
Representative Tequah emphasized that the proposed college would provide academic opportunities and equip students with practical skills tailored to the job market demands. He argued that the institution’s focus on educational and vocational training would help foster economic opportunities and create a skilled workforce capable of contributing to the country’s development.
Beyond its educational mandate, Tequah underscored the bill’s broader implications for River Cess. He sees the establishment of RCC as a catalyst for economic and social growth, noting that partnerships between the institution and local industries could promote innovation and lifelong learning. Such an initiative, he added, would significantly enhance the county’s potential for sustainable development.
Like many other counties in Liberia, River Cess has faced decades of limited educational infrastructure, leaving students with few options for higher education. Representative Tequah hopes the RCC initiative will serve as a model for addressing similar challenges in other underdeveloped regions of the country.
The bill has already undergone its first reading in the House, and the joint committee will now conduct a detailed review before presenting its findings to the plenary. If the proposal gains approval from the House and Senate, it could be a transformative step toward expanding access to higher education and fostering socio-economic progress in River Cess County.
