GBARNGA–The administration of the Bong County Technical College has announced that normal academic activities will resume on Monday, October 13, bringing an end to several weeks of academic disruption caused by a nationwide strike action launched by the Rural Universities and Colleges Faculty Association (RUCFAL) which affected nine rural tertiary institutions across Liberia including the Bong County Technical College
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
The strike action, which led to the complete paralysis of academic operations at the institution, generated concerns among students, parents, education stakeholders, and local community leaders who feared that the prolonged disruption would have lasting consequences on the academic progression and future of students enrolled at the college
Speaking during a well-attended campus meeting, the President of Bong County Technical College, Dr Alfredson Taikerweyah Sr, acknowledged the legitimacy of RUCFAL’s demands which center around the need for increased salaries and improved working conditions for rural university and college lecturers across the country but emphasized that while the administration supports the advocacy for fair compensation for instructors it must also consider the long-term impact the continued strike would have on the lives and academic futures of thousands of students who have already lost valuable instructional time
Dr Taikerweyah stated that as president of the institution and a senior staff member he personally stands to benefit from any salary increments but he cannot remain indifferent to the plight of the students who depend on the institution to achieve their academic goals and contribute meaningfully to national development noting that the country’s future is anchored in the educational empowerment of its young people
He explained that the administration of BCTC has made repeated efforts to engage the local leadership of RUCFAL in constructive dialogue to find a path toward resolving the crisis and restoring normal academic activities on campus but all attempts have so far proven unsuccessful despite the fact that the vice president of RUCFAL is a faculty member of the college and therefore in a unique position to facilitate engagement and communication between the two parties
Dr Taikerweyah further disclosed that in addition to internal efforts the college administration has also made several trips to Monrovia where they met with relevant government authorities including officials of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance to advocate on behalf of the striking lecturers and to present the concerns and recommendations of the local RUCFAL chapter with the goal of encouraging national-level dialogue and intervention
He reiterated that the institution remains committed to protecting the interests of both the lecturers and the student body and will continue to explore every available channel to foster dialogue noting that the success of any academic institution relies on the active participation of both teachers and students and without either group the system simply cannot function effectively
Dr Taikerweyah called on all stakeholders including government ministries, the RUCFAL leadership, student groups, and civil society to work collectively in pursuit of a fair and peaceful resolution while reaffirming the administration’s readiness to continue playing a mediatory role in the interest of restoring academic stability and safeguarding the future of Liberia’s youth
Meanwhile, the president of the Bong County Technical College Student Council Government Alfred Kollie praised the administration’s decision to reopen the school and resume classes describing the move as both bold and necessary given the uncertainty and anxiety students have experienced since the strike began
Kollie called on the striking lecturers to return to the negotiating table and resume teaching duties while discussions continue with the government stressing that the academic and emotional well-being of the students must remain a top priority in any labor dispute involving educational institutions
He acknowledged the validity of the concerns raised by RUCFAL and joined calls for the national government to respond seriously and urgently to the demands of rural lecturers but emphasized that continuing the strike indefinitely will only harm the very students whose development the education system is designed to support
Kollie urged the Ministries of Education and Finance as well as other relevant government institutions to take steps toward addressing the grievances of the striking lecturers in order to prevent similar disruptions in the future and to ensure that the country’s already fragile education sector does not suffer further setbacks.
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