Kakata- In a landmark ceremony held on Thursday, June 6, at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), ten technical and vocational education and training (TVET) teacher trainers graduated, marking a significant step in enhancing the quality of TVET education across Liberia.

By Francis G. Boayue, contributing writer

These graduates will initiate training for both pre-service and in-service TVET teachers through the TVET Center for Professional Training, Research, and Innovation (TCPTRI).

It can be recalled that in October 2022, the Government of Liberia, with funding from the European Union and the Government of Sweden through the ‘Youth Rising’ project implemented by UNIDO, commenced a 24-month TVET Teacher Trainer training course at Häme University of Applied Sciences in Finland for ten serving TVET staff as the inaugural group of TVET teacher trainers.

The keynote address, delivered by Laraamand Nyonton, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister for TVET on behalf of Cllr. J. Cole Bangalu, Minister of Youth and Sports, highlighted the critical role of TVET in Liberia’s development.

“Too often people say education is the bedrock of a nation and the key to success, but I would like to stress that TVET is a cornerstone to the progress that we need to unlock the potential of our young people in Liberia,” Nyonton stated.

Addressing the new graduates, Nyonton highlighted the importance of their role in bridging the gap between formal and TVET education.

“You are now equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to transform TVET education. Your challenge is to apply these in a way that positively impacts the future generation of Liberia,” he urged.

Nyonton praised the graduates, acknowledging their achievements and the significant impact they will have on Liberia’s future.

Ms. Christine Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia, highlighted the pivotal role of TVET in economic growth, innovation, and addressing skill gaps.

She commended the government’s commitment to vocational education and recognized the EU and Swedish support through projects like the Youth Rising Project and the promoting youth employment project.

“The establishment of the TCPTRI at BWI, funded by the EU and Sweden, is a testament to our shared commitment to advancing technical education in Liberia,” Umutoni noted.

She praised the graduates for their dedication and encouraged them to continue their professional development and embrace practical skills to meet market demands.

“You have a big task ahead, but we have no doubt that you have the capacity, the will, and the love for your country and the young people who are the future of this country,” Umutoni said.

Dr. Anna Brzozowska, representing the Head of the EU Delegation in Liberia, expressed her excitement about the graduates’ potential to transform Liberia.

“The EU strongly believes in the power of education to create opportunities. With the ARREST agenda emphasizing education, your role in shaping the future is crucial,” she said.

Brzozowska reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to investing in Liberia’s educational sector to enhance youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Nancy T. Freeman, Principal of BWI, celebrated the graduates’ hard work and dedication. “Today marks a significant milestone as our graduates’ transition from learning to practical application in the workforce. The skills and knowledge acquired during TVET training will serve as a solid foundation for your future careers,” Freeman said.

She encouraged the graduates to remain curious and committed, emphasizing the importance of hard work and continuous learning in achieving success.

Rogers Ndege, CTA of UNIDO, commended the unwavering support from the EU, Sweden, and other member states in strengthening Liberia’s TVET sector.

He acknowledged the significant gap in qualified human resources within the sector and highlighted the role of the TVET Center in addressing these challenges by providing high-quality, demand-driven training.

According to him, finding professional and well-trained teachers with modern technical skills is one of the many challenges faced by the TVET sub-Sector of Liberia.

To tackle these challenges, Ndege said the Government of Liberia and its partners established the TVET Centre for Professional Teacher Training and Research (TCPTRI) In Kakata, Margibi County, in 2022.

Ms. Sari Kenraali from Häme University presented the graduates to the Liberian government, celebrating their achievement as a significant milestone for both their personal journeys and Liberia’s educational and economic development.

She stressed the importance of qualified TVET teachers in empowering Liberian youth to become self-reliant, innovative, and productive members of society.

“You have the power to change lives and inspire trainees. This requires responsibility and dedication,” Kenraali told the graduates, emphasizing the broader impact of their work on Liberia’s growth and development.

The ceremony concluded with a call to action from all speakers, urging the graduates to embrace their roles with enthusiasm and dedication, and to contribute actively to the transformation of Liberia’s vocational education landscape.

As Liberia continues to invest in technical and vocational education, the graduation of these ten teacher trainers represents a promising step towards a brighter, more skilled future for the nation.

Meanwhile, the event was graced by high-profile dignitaries, including deputy and assistant ministers from the Ministries of Youth and Sports and Education, as well as representatives from the European Union (EU), GIZ, IECD, FAWE, UNRC, and Häme University of Applied Sciences from Finland.

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – The impact of Grand Bassa Community College (GBCC) is now glaring after graduating over 500 students since its inception in 2008.

The college is gaining relevance not just in Grand Bassa, but also for students hailing from Rivercess, Margibi and Sinoe Counties mainly because of its technical vocational training programs at the college.

Nursing, agriculture, mechanic, computer science are among several other courses afford at the college. At the last graduation of 344 students in March, Engineering & Applied Sciences and Health Sciences Departments put out the highest number of students with the latter graduating 92 and the former 83.

The administration is looking to improving its Technical Vocational Training Program (T-VET), but consistent financial support can do the work, according to GBCC President, Dr. Levi Zangai. On top of a list of enormous constraints, the GBCC is aiming to complete its 100% relocation to the Paynesberry Campus, about 4 miles outside Buchanan.

“Developing, managing and relocating an institution of higher learning and technical education is a daunting challenge; and the Grand Bassa Community College is no exception,” said Dr. Zangai at the second commencement program of the GBCC.

Dr. Zangai has outlined the need to increase budgetary support and scholarships for training and hiring of instructors and professors in the priority areas of Science and Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Nursing, TVET, ICT, Teachers Education, Agriculture, and Entrepreneurship. He added that significant interventions should be made at the GBCC to achieve the aforementioned.

Amongst several other things, he also mentioned the need for furniture, solar energy electrification and mini-hydro, housing facilities for visiting professors, faculty, staff and students and building for the Gender Studies and Women’s Resource Center for GBCC’s Paynesberry Campus.

The GBCC President’s request appears ambitious especially with evidence of past struggles to obtain resources. For over three years the college has lamented limited support from the county and central governments but a US$850,000.00 subsidy eased the constraints leading to the successful holding of its second graduation in almost eight years. Keeping the financial support to the college steadfast is vital to sustaining the gains.

The promises are still echoing after a month since the last graduation program when the County Superintendent and the Legislative Caucus pledged their unflinching support to the GBCC. Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Senator Jonathan Kaipay assured that they will work to augment the college budget from US$600,000 to US$800, 000.00; but this is only feasible if divisive politics is extinguished in the county.

GBCC Opting for China’s Support

However, it appears that the college is confident of seeking external support from partners and foreign universities. Aware of the impact China has made in Liberia over the last couple of years, the college opted to invite Ambassador Zhang Yue of the powerful Asian nation to serve as its commencement speaker. Dr. Zangai and his faculty were aiming to lure support to the college and are still although there has not been any big move from the Chinese toward GBCC.

“We will appreciate your commitment to support the completion of our new campus for the relocation of the College,” Dr. Zangai told the proxy of Ambassador Yue – the Chinese Embassy’s Political Director, David Zhang. “Please speak to your Government and your companies to help complete, equip and furnish our new campus, and to support our College,” he added.

The GBCC is also looking for more help from the Chinese, requesting for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Agriculture, and Health Sciences teachers from Chinese Universities; this the GBCC says will help strengthen its capacity. And the college President is desperate for a Chinese University-GBCC partnership which he thinks can make tremendous impact.

“Capacity-building partnerships for faculty and students development with some Chinese Universities could also be helpful to our College,” he said.

Recalling a 2006 interaction to strengthen the friendly cooperation and exchange of views between China and African countries at several universities including the Northeast Normal University in Beijing, which focused on the areas of tertiary education, Dr. Zangai stressed the significant way it exposed African participants to the level of economic development, industrialization and urbanization of China. Dr. Zangai says his experience in China exemplified the need to improve relationship with universities as a conduit of improving Liberia’s education – especially tertiary education.

He argues that the success of providing demand-driven, quality education is partnership. “GBCC in particular, cannot rely solely on subsidies from the Liberian Government and the County’s Social Development Fund,” Dr. Zangai suggested adding, “There is a need for tertiary institutions to seek private-sector partnerships to augment their public resources to be able to provide quality and relevant education to Liberia’s youthful population.”

GBCC’s request is bulky. For the Chinese, it is minute. Facts show that China is the second biggest economy in the world and is becoming a big diplomatic partner to many African States with tremendous inroads made in recent years on the African continent.

China is also aware of its responsibility and has provided hundreds of scholarships to Liberian students geared toward building their capacity. David Zhang said at the second GBCC graduation that 46 new scholarships for young Liberian students to study in China were available last month. The Political Director at the Chinese Embassy in Liberia told the graduates to help strengthen Liberia-China relationship for their own good.

“It is in your personal and national interest to develop a resolve orientation of working …; if you want to make a difference in Liberia,” he said confidently, adding that “It’s time for us to roll our sleeves and tightened our belts to do something useful and tangible, starting now and starting from yourself,” he concluded.

The Chinese Embassy has made no promise to GBCC since the graduation in early March 2016, nevertheless the young college hope remains high.

With significant progress made so far amid the lingering challenges, GBCC President is optimistic that the college can grow into a magnificent and reputable higher learning institution in the country especially with the existence of a US$2.2 Million new campus on 250 acres of land in Paynesberry – near the Benson River outside Buchanan City.