By Precious D. Freeman
Hundreds of students from the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) took to the Japanese Freeway in a major protest on yesterday, demanding immediate reforms from the school’s administration.
The demonstration stemmed from longstanding frustration over inadequate facilities, a shortage of qualified instructors, and what students described as an absence of essential resources needed for a quality vocational education.
Chanting and holding signs, students expressed that their education has been compromised for over a year due to inconsistent access to learning resources.
According to the students, many instructors have been absent without replacements, leaving students nearing graduation without the guidance necessary for successful completion of their programs.
A critical issue raised during the protest was the lack of hands-on training, which is vital for students at a vocational training center and without practical experience, students worry about their job prospects during post-graduation.
“We need instructors and a director who are present,” stated a group of frustrated students, emphasizing their determination to continue protesting until their demands are met.
Efforts to address these grievances through the Ministry of Youth and Sports reportedly went unanswered, which students say has exacerbated their frustration.
They noted that previous protests had raised similar concerns with students referring to the new director as a “ghost” due to his noticeable absence from the campus.
This demonstration highlights the determination of MVTC students to advocate for the quality education they believe is necessary to succeed in their fields.
Students say they are prepared to continue protesting until the administration and government agencies take action to resolve their concerns and restore adequate learning conditions at MVTC.
