Gbarpolu County – People in Gbarpolu County are lauding the county’s District 1 Representative for providing vocational skill training program to them.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
The citizens, during the closing of the first phase of the program in 2018, said introduction of computer science education, profession driving and tailoring programs by Representative Alfred G. Koiwood has alleviated some of their concerns for human development.
The residents noted that the program has paved the way for job creation and cut down financial burden for people who travel to Monrovia to acquire more education.
Gbarpolu County is considered one of the most underdeveloped in Liberia as deplorable road condition during the rainy season pose serious constraints to socio-economic activities.
The new Gbarpolu County Professional and Vocational School is the first of its kind introduced by Koiwood and since 2011 the program is bridging the manpower gap in the county.
The program has reportedly trained approximate 500 persons in the three disciplines it offers, while others are now self-employed, said John Bainda, Program Coordinator.
He said most students from the county reportedly find it challenging to pursue higher education in Monrovia after obtaining high school due to financial constraints.
Over the weekend, 34 persons were certificated in driving and received official drivers’ licenses in the Jungle James Camp after completing the six months course.
Abu Konneh, one of the new licensed drivers, told FrontPage Africa at the graduation ceremony that the training program has added value to his life and several others in the county.
Mr. Konneh said since he left high school four year ago, obtaining higher education in Monrovia has been difficult due to financial constraint. He said the training program is serving as a conduit to achieve his future goal.
“I don’t have money to go and stay in Monrovia to attend college, so since I left Bopolu Central High School I have been doing farming. But I decided not to just sit, so I entered the driving school at the beginning of the year because the fee is not plenty and today I am a professional driver. I want to tell Representative Koiwood thanks for thinking about us,” Konneh said.
Another graduate, Rebbecca Weah, added that the school is an important instrument that can be used by several others residents in the county to advance themselves.
Madam Weah wants other officials in the county to emulate the work of Representative Koiwood by providing education and other social needs for all.
“I don’t need to go to Monrovia or other areas to get computer knowledge; I can stay right here in Gbarpolu County and become a professional driver or know something about computer,” she said.
“If other officials in Gbarpolu can do similar thing like this, we will not worry to go to Monrovia, we can learn something firstly that will help us get money before going to Monrovia to university.”
Representative Koiwood says the establishment of vocational education as his own way of contributing to the county.
Koiwood said the training program is not only limited to his district, but the entire county, stressing that there’s need to adding other skill training.