KAKATA, Margibi County — Barely hours after FrontPage Africa printed an investigative report exposing years of neglect and decay on the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), the establishment’s administration has begun clearing overgrown grass that had engulfed massive parts of the campus.
By Yawah Y. Jaivey
[email protected]
Early Thursday morning, employees armed with grass-cutting machines have been seen clearing sections of the once-prestigious campus, whose historic constructions—many now deserted—bear seen indicators of long-term deterioration, together with crumbling partitions, damaged home windows, and unchecked vegetation.
Based in 1929 because the Booker Washington Agricultural and Industrial Institute, BWI was Liberia’s first agricultural and vocational faculty, established with help from American companions and named after famend U.S. educator Booker T. Washington. For many years, it served as a cornerstone of technical and vocational training, producing generations of expert Liberians.
Right now, nonetheless, the establishment stands as a stark reminder of misplaced priorities, its infrastructure largely forgotten after years of neglect by successive administrations.
Widespread Decay Throughout Campus
A FrontPageAfrica reporter who toured the campus over the weekend noticed in depth deterioration throughout a number of distinguished constructions, together with the principal’s residence—generally referred to as the “Kudar Jerrie Home”—and former residences for deans answerable for supervising feminine boarding college students.
The buildings present deep structural cracks, shattered home windows, and a heavy silence damaged solely by encroaching grass and moss climbing the partitions. Peeling paint and littered courtyards additional underscore the neglect.
The investigation additionally revealed that each boys’ and ladies’ dormitories are in visibly poor situation. The campus water tower has not been painted in a long time, whereas the varsity kitchen seems to have been nonfunctional for a few years.
A dormitory destroyed by fireplace greater than twenty years in the past stays unrepaired, and Graham Corridor, one of many establishment’s historic buildings, seems frozen in time, untouched by significant renovation.
An annexed dormitory underneath the Agricultural and Abilities Coaching Program (ASTP)—whose basis was laid greater than 30 years in the past—stays incomplete.
Moreover, the enterprise supervisor’s residence lies in ruins, whereas the so-called “New York” and “Germany” residences, as soon as meant for instructors, are actually in deplorable situation.
Alumni Increase Alarm
The deteriorating state of BWI has drawn concern from alumni, together with Mr. J. Ebenezer Kolliegbo, who described the state of affairs as alarming following a latest go to to the campus.
“Yesterday, I had the chance to go to the campus of Booker Washington Institute, and I used to be deeply saddened by the extent of decay throughout the campus,” Kolliegbo stated.
Whereas stopping in need of blaming the present administration, he harassed that the situation displays years of neglect by successive leaderships.
“The state of the establishment is alarming and may concern each alumnus, policymaker, and Liberian who values training and nationwide growth,” he added.
Kolliegbo urged lawmakers to prioritize rehabilitation over proposals to raise BWI to a four-year college.
“Reasonably than dashing to draft laws, the main focus ought to be on restoring BWI to its pre-war requirements—reviving its infrastructure, tutorial atmosphere, and institutional dignity,” he stated.
He additionally known as for pressing mobilization of alumni to pursue sensible, results-driven infrastructure tasks, reasonably than symbolic initiatives that fail to handle the varsity’s most urgent wants.
Administration Silent
Efforts by FrontPageAfrica to acquire a response from Dr. Nancy T. Freeman, Principal of the Booker Washington Institute, have been unsuccessful.
When contacted by cellphone, a lady figuring out herself as Hannah Dennis, Dr. Freeman’s particular assistant, requested that questions be submitted through SMS or WhatsApp. Regardless of a number of follow-ups, no response had been obtained as of publication.
