Gbarnga – The Bong County Technical School (BCTC) has undergone a sweeping transformation because the appointment of Dr. Alfredson W. Taikerweyah Sr. as its president in March 2024, with the establishment recording vital development in tutorial requirements, infrastructure, enrollment, and administrative effectivity.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Dr. Taikerweyah took over at a time when the faculty was combating low enrollment, restricted assets, and poor amenities. Nonetheless, in simply over a yr, he has launched main reforms which have positioned BCTC on a brand new trajectory of development and revitalization.
Since March 2024, scholar enrollment on the faculty has elevated from 600 to 1,331 — greater than doubling in a brief interval. The school additionally recorded its highest turnout for placement exams in its historical past, with 1,095 candidates sitting the take a look at this semester. This surge is credited to elevated public confidence within the faculty beneath Dr. Taikerweyah’s management.
Some of the vital tutorial accomplishments was the accreditation of the faculty’s nursing program by the Liberia Board of Nursing and Midwifery. The transfer not solely lends legitimacy to this system but in addition permits graduates to be acknowledged for employment and additional research nationally and internationally.
Infrastructure improvement has been a key focus of Dr. Taikerweyah’s administration. The school has accomplished the primary ground of its major constructing, completed the long-awaited meeting corridor, and constructed a contemporary parking space for autos and bikes.
For the primary time since BCTC was based, the workplace of the president was accomplished and furnished, ending the long-standing observe of faculty presidents working from borrowed departmental areas.
Moreover, a completely furnished Pupil Heart has been established, geared up with televisions, air con, seating, and a public handle system. The ability has develop into a central hub for scholar actions and tutorial engagement.
To enhance studying and operational effectivity, the faculty now supplies free Wi-Fi throughout the campus. College students and employees have additionally gained entry to a brand new printing machine — the primary of its variety for the establishment — easing monetary and logistical burdens associated to printing and photocopying tutorial supplies.
All administrative places of work, each junior and senior, at the moment are totally air-conditioned — a notable enchancment in employees welfare and dealing circumstances.
In help of sensible schooling, Dr. Taikerweyah led the acquisition of 100 acres of farmland for the Agriculture Division. The land is anticipated for use for coaching, analysis, and income-generating actions, with the aim of constructing BCTC a frontrunner in agricultural schooling and innovation.
The fast transformation of the faculty has drawn reward from throughout Bong County. College students have expressed satisfaction with improved amenities and companies, whereas school and employees have recommended the administration’s dedication to accountability and outcomes.
Neighborhood members have additionally welcomed the faculty’s progress, saying the adjustments are serving to place BCTC as a flagship establishment for technical schooling in Liberia.
Dr. Taikerweyah has said that whereas a lot progress has been made, extra work lies forward. Plans are underway to develop tutorial applications, construct extra halls and dormitories, and pursue partnerships with worldwide establishments.
He has emphasised the significance of continued funding in digital studying platforms and school improvement, pledging to take care of transparency and stakeholder engagement as the faculty continues to develop.
With restricted assets however robust management, the Bong County Technical School has develop into an instance of what focused, sensible reforms can obtain in Liberia’s increased schooling sector.
