By: Laymah Kollie
The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has passed an Act to amend and restate the River Gee County Vocational and Technical Training Institute, legitimately elevating it to a full-fledged institution now identified as the River Gee Technical College.
The Senate decision was triggered by a report submitted during a regular session on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 by the Joint Committee on Education, Public Administration, Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petition recommending the proposed amendment.
The bill was introduced and sponsored by River Gee County Senator Francis Dopoh, II.
Speaking to Legislative reporters immediately following the passage of the bill, Senator Dopoh said the principal objective is to upgrade the current vocational institute to college status, enabling it to offer Bachelor Degrees and professional certifications in various technical disciplines.
He said such will enhance access to higher education in the southeastern county and reduce the need for students to travel to other counties like Maryland and Grand Gedeh for technical studies.
Senator Dopoh emphasized that the college would not only provide educational opportunities but also curb youth involvement in illicit mining and other illegal activities driven by unemployment and lack of access to skills training.
He disclosed that a fiscal impact study identified major gaps in technical training within River Gee, and the college will help fill those voids.
Senator Dopoh stressed that the upgraded institution would also offer training in business and other non-technical fields once the law is signed into hand bill by President Joseph Boakai.
The Act, when signed into law, will grant the college charter status, allowing it to award full Bachelor Degrees to residents across River Geeโs 10 administrative districts.
Senator Dopoh referenced a 2022 student population study, which revealed that approximately 22,000 students are enrolled in schools annually in the county.
Out of that number, about 300 to 350 graduates from high school each year, but few have access to technical or tertiary education in nearby counties or Monrovia, while majority stayed in the county due to lack of opportunities to further their education.
He noted that Bleebo Multilateral School, once the only institution providing basic technical training, had not been adequately functioning, thereby preventing many students from acquiring vocational skills.
โRiver Gee is large in size but sparsely populated, so it makes sense to focus on one well-functioning institution that can serve the entire county effectively,โ Dopoh added.
The senator also cautioned against creating multiple technical institutions in the same area, which he said would strain government resources.
He urged members of the House of Representatives to contribute ideas toward enhancing the Act once it reaches their chamber for consideration.
Senator Dopoh highlighted that Liberiaโs current tertiary education system is under pressure due to limited capacity, which has forced the government to compete with private institutions in providing access.
The Rivergee County Lawmaker emphasized the importance of being strategic in the establishment of new colleges and universities.
โWe should make smart efforts,โ he said. โWe donโt have to replicate institutions unnecessarily. If Tubman University is already offering degrees in education, River Geeโs technical college can focus on other critical areas where skills are lacking.โ
The River Gee Technical College, once operational, is expected to provide Associate Degrees, professional certificates, and eventually Bachelor Degrees in fields aligned with Liberiaโs development needs, especially in technical and vocational education.
