Gbarnga, Bong County — The academic future of hundreds of students at Bong County Technical College (BCTC) hangs in the balance as members of the Rural Universities and Colleges Faculty Association of Liberia (RUCFAL) have launched an indefinite strike, disrupting the start of the 2025/2026 first semester.
Students had anticipated the resumption of classes on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. However, those hopes were dashed when it became evident that faculty members would not be returning to classrooms. The strike has caused widespread frustration, particularly among the more than 500 newly admitted students who traveled from Nimba, Lofa, and other nearby counties in anticipation of beginning classes on Monday, October 6.
RUCFAL announced its decision to abandon all academic duties on September 24, citing the government’s failure to address long-standing grievances. Chief among their concerns are salary disparities, alleged unfair treatment, and calls for salary alignment with faculty members at the University of Liberia and Tubman University in Maryland County.
Faculty representatives have vowed to remain on strike until their demands are met, creating uncertainty for students and administrators alike.
“This is not the first time we’re facing this kind of delay,” said one frustrated student who asked to remain anonymous. “Some of us have spent over twelve years trying to graduate because of repeated disruptions. We can’t take this anymore.”
Sources say that a group of students is considering organizing a “go-slow” protest targeting government offices in Bong County if the situation is not resolved soon.
As the standoff continues, there is growing pressure on the national government to intervene and ensure the resumption of academic activities before more damage is done to students’ academic journeys.
