By: Ben TC Brooks | River Gee Correspondent
River Gee County | Feb. 19, 2026 | The Administration of the River Gee Vocational and Technical Training Institute – RGVTTI, is facing growing criticism from students who allege that the institution unilaterally extended its 2024–2025 training cycle, delayed internship placements, and failed to address broader administrative concerns.
According to the student handbook, the current training program was designed to run for 12 months, begun in October 2024 and expected to have concluded in October 2025.
However, students claim the program was unilaterally extended to one year and eight months without formal notice or consultation from the administration.
As of press time no explanation has been provided to students or the public clarifying whether this was due to an academic delay or outlining the reasons behind the alleged unilateral extension.
Per standard, vocational institutions in Liberia are required to align with the 2022 Liberia National TVET Qualification Framework (LNTQF), which outlines seven certification levels from foundational training to bachelor’s degree equivalency.
Oversight and quality assurance are generally conducted under the supervision of the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau – AITB, which evaluates institutions across areas such as planning, governance, staff development, training management, funding, and business development.
Trainees say the unexpected extension has disrupted their academic and career plans, creating uncertainty about graduation timelines.
Nathaniel G. Natty (ID#24056) of the Auto Mechanics Department student criticized what he described as weak administrative coordination.
“The absence of a clearly defined completion timeline creates confusion and uncertainty for those of us trying to plan our future,” Natty said.
Students have also expressed dissatisfaction with delays in securing internship placements a mandatory component of the vocational program.
According to several trainees, the administration has yet to finalize agreements with partner institutions and companies.
They claim they have repeatedly been informed that the internship committee is “still working on arrangements,” with no specific timeline has been provided, but a proposed graduation ceremony slated for April 2026, while many students are questioning whether sufficient time remains to complete their required practical training.
In addition, internal sources indicate that prospective graduates have been asked to pay a US$75 graduation fee ahead of the planned April 2026 ceremony.
Some students consider the amount excessive, citing Liberia’s current economic challenges.
They are calling on the administration to review and possibly reduce the fee to make it more affordable.
Further concerns have also emerged over alleged political interference in the institution’s operations.
Some students and community members claim the school appears closely aligned with an unnamed political figure.
Critics argue that perceived political affiliation could discourage potential partners and stakeholders from offering support, out of concern that recognition may be politically appropriated.
They warn that such perceptions could undermine the institution’s credibility and detract from its mission of providing inclusive technical education to the youth of River Gee County.
Amid mounting dissatisfaction, students are calling for urgent administrative reforms at RGVTTI. They are urging leadership to strengthen transparency, improve coordination, establish clear timelines, and minimize political entanglements in order to restore public confidence.
They also argue that professionalism, accountability, and effective management are essential for the institution to fulfill its mandate of equipping young people with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
However unconfirmed reports suggest that Nathaniel G. Natty may have withdrawn from institutional activities approximately six months ago and could be seeking to draw public attention to the institution’s challenges. However, these claims remain unverified.
RGVTTI was established following legislation introduced in 2019 by Francis Dopoh, then Representative of District 3, River Gee County. The bill was passed into law in 2020, marking a significant step forward for technical and vocational education in the region.
When contacted AITB Director General Abraham Billy, the institute offers 13 trade programs, including General Agriculture (rice, oil palm, vegetables, piggery, poultry, and root crops), General Construction, Carpentry, Masonry, Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Tailoring, and Auto Mechanics.
Prior to the launch of full operations, AITB reportedly conducted training sessions for RGVTTI staff to support the rollout of its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs. The bureau has pledged continued assessments and technical assistance to TVET institutions nationwide.
As of press time, efforts to obtain an official response from RGVTTI’s administration regarding the alleged program extension, internship delays, graduation fees, and claims of political interference have not been successful.
