Grand Bassa County Community College Pus Out First Graduates

GBCC first graduation ceremony

Grand Bassa Community College (GBCC) April 27 held its first graduation ceremony, graduating 139 students with Associate Degrees in various disciplines.

The occasion was graced by top government officials, foreign diplomats, President of the University of Liberia and President Ellen Johnson-Sir leaf.

The historic event for the county was held at the future campus of the GBCC in Paynesberry outside Buchanan city, bringing together well-wishers, family, friends and local county officials.

Among the disciplines, the graduates in AA degree in the Liberal arts, Theology, Nursing, Public Administration, Management, Mechanic and Electrical Engineering among others.

Making the key note address, President Johnson-Sirleaf stressed that graduates from the community college must contribute toward the betterment of the society.

" ... So when they (graduates) leave this institute of higher learning, they will apply the knowledge they have acquired in a special way for the transformation of the community, the county, the nation and the world."

The president emphasized the significance of quality education to a country like Liberia that has been dogged by many socio-political and economic problems.

Said Sirleaf: "Education is the key to transformation. So, if our nation leadership wants quality professionals, we must go beyond what we emphasized here today. We are going to be putting serious emphasis on primary and secondary schools to provide the quality that will lead students to where you are."

The Grand Bassa Community College was established on June 11, 2008 by an act by the National Legislature and signed by the president following increasing pressure by youth of the county. The youths remained resolute requesting for an institute of higher learning and President Sirleaf was quick to mention the role they played for the establishment of the GBCC.

The president commented on the many problems affecting the country's education sectors using the occasion to announce that the government will on May 3 hold a one-day round table meeting to discuss those problems.

"There's an integrated web of problems facing the education sector and must be address if Liberia development challenges are to be attended to."

The president's disclosure about the forum on national education was important to the tackling the many problems affecting the sector and Grand Bassa County no exception. The key note speaker stressed that education can play a vital role in solving many social, health and other problems and help improve lives

"By getting quality education, our youth are likely to acquire the knowledge in confidence to make use of information gain to improve their lives."

"The dignity and self-confidence gain can help to challenge discrimination and bias gender relation. We also know that education can help reduce maternal/child mortality, violence, HIV/AIDS transmission."

"Good quality education is a catalyst to achieving the requisite economic growth required to tackle poverty, inequality, and to compute regionally and globally."

Agreeing that the education sector seriously required massive reform, the Liberian President said her government is dedicated to working to solve the problem. She said a highly-focused firm work will be developed to guide policy makers and practitioners.

Representative Gabriel Smith of Buchanan City district lauded the president's and her government for the level of support given to the college and he remains optimistic that the future is bright for the GBCC.

"This college will not remain at this level, in the not too distance future GBCC will stand up tall amongst all other community colleges in Liberia."

The Grand Bassa Lawmaker also challenged residents and citizens to make meaningful contribution to help the college.

For his part, the president of the graduating class, Rufus Zoegar called on his colleagues to produce what they have learned. He said critics who thought the college was bound to fail are now are now having second thoughts. Graduate Zoegar cited low budget allocation for the college as the primary challenge the institution is faced with.

"This situation (low budget) has the propensity to undermine the government of Liberia poverty reduction strategy. Emphasis should be focused toward cooperating budgetary division leading to the training of more qualified instructors and the provision of buses and adequate library, Laboratory and computers among other things."

The graduating class president said serious attention must be placed on many problems affecting students including the lacks of basic facilities for students including transportation.

The college is currently temporarily using the campus of the Bassa High School while it awaits the completion of its campus which is under construction in Paynesberry.

The Paynesberry campus is a 250-acres land ideally located in central Buchanan and many students have agreed that the campus will serve the purpose adequately.

President Sirleaf also hinted at a possible move away from the Bassa High school campus to Paynesberry when she said that the college will be in paynesberry by September this year.

With a little over 800 students at the college, a ratio of 60 percent males and 40 percent females many are hoping that the college improve since it is geographic location is ideal for students seeking higher education from Rivercess, Grand Bassa, River Gee and other counties in the region.

The administration of Dr. Levi Zangar's has made a mark although many problems still remain far from solving but observers say a consideration of budget increment for the GBCC is primary to the success of the newly institution of higher learning outside of the capital Monrovia.