By Ben TC Brooks
The Joint Committee on Education, Public Administration, and Judiciary and the Human Rights Claims and Petitions of the Liberian Senate, has agreed to the passage of a new legislation titled: “An Act to Amend and Restate the Act to Establish the River Gee Vocational and Technical Training Institute, to [River Gee Technical College, Republic of Liberia].”
The legislation, which is sponsored by River Gee Senator Francis Saidy Dopoh, was approved during the Senate’s regular session on 8 July 2025, at the august body’s Capitol Hill chamber in Monrovia.
“As advocate for this legislation, we are dedicated to providing the people of River Gee County with access to quality tertiary education within two years,” stated Sen. Dopoh.
The River Gee Vocational and Technical Training Institute was founded following a bill introduced by Senator Dopoh, when he served as River Gee County’s electoral District #3 Representative in the House of Representatives. It was enacted into law in 2020, marking a significant development in technical education for the county.
Currently, the institution hosts little over 300 students, as it offers a one-year professional training program designed to grant advanced diplomas, facilitating entry into the job market, with internship placement opportunity prior to graduation.
Before classes began officially in October 2024, the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau of Liberia (AITB) had incorporated 13 trade areas into its curriculum. These areas encompass General Agriculture, which include rice, oil palm, vegetables, piggery, poultry, and root crops, as well as General Construction, Carpentry, Masonry, Plumbing, Electrical work, Tailoring, and Mechanics.
AITB has also trained the staff of River Gee Vocational and Technical Training Institute to ensure a successful launch of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
AITB’s head, Abraham Billy, has pledged ongoing collaboration with all TVET institutions across Liberia, involving regular evaluations and technical support.
TVET programs are designed to address the skills gap in local job markets, providing students with practical knowledge relevant to specific trades. For many, these programs serve as an alternative to traditional university paths, offering a direct route to employment in their chosen sectors.
The significance of TVET is underscored as it helps bridge the divide between education and employment, especially in regions where access to higher education is limited.
