By Ben TC Brooks,
River Gee County Correspondent
The Joint Committee on Education, Public Administration, and Judiciary, alongside the Human Rights Claims and Petitions of the Liberian Senate, has agreed to the passage of a new legislative measure titled “An Act to Amend and Restate the Act to Establish the River Gee Vocational and Technical Training Institute, to [River Gee Technical College, Republic of Liberia.”
The legislation was approved during the Senate’s regular session on July 8, 2025, at the Capitol Hill chamber in Monrovia, with Sen. Francis Saidy Dopoh of River Gee County serving as its sponsor.
When passed into an Act, the River Gee Technical College, will provide Associate Degrees, professional certificates, and eventually Bachelor Degrees in fields aligned with Liberia’s development needs, especially in technical and vocational education.
“As advocate for this legislation, we are dedicated to providing the people of River Gee County with access to quality tertiary education within two years,” stated Sen. Dopoh.
The River Gee Vocational and Technical Training Institute was founded following a bill introduced by Sen. Francis Saidy Dopoh, when he was Representative of Electoral District 3, River Gee County, as it was enacted in 2020, marking a significant development in technical education for the county.
Currently, the institute host little over 300 students as it offers a one-year professional training program designed to grant advanced diplomas, facilitating entry into the job market, and includes internships prior to graduation.
Before classes began officially in October 2024, the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau of Liberia (AITB) had incorporated 13 trade areas into its curriculum. These areas encompass General Agriculture, which includes rice, oil palm, vegetables, piggery, poultry, and root crops, as well as General Construction, Carpentry, Masonry, Plumbing, Electrical work, Tailoring, and Mechanics.
AITB has also trained the staff of River Gee Vocational and Technical Training Institute to ensure a successful launch of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
AITB’s head, Abraham Billy, has pledged ongoing collaboration with all TVET institutions across Liberia, involving regular evaluations and technical support.
TVET programs are designed to address the skills gap in local job markets, providing students with practical knowledge relevant to specific trades. For many, these programs serve as an alternative to traditional university paths, offering a direct route to employment in their chosen sectors.
The significance of TVET is underscored as it helps bridge the divide between education and employment, especially in regions where access to higher education is limited.
