BONG COUNTY, Liberia — A renewed call by the President of the Student Council at Bong County Technical College (BCTC), Mr. Alfred Kollie, for a reduction in student registration fees has triggered mixed reactions on campus, with some students questioning why an issue that featured prominently in his campaign is now being raised as a fresh concern.
In recent remarks, Kollie described the current registration fees at BCTC as excessive and burdensome, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds. He argued that as a government-owned institution, BCTC charges higher registration fees than several public colleges and universities across Liberia, making access to technical education increasingly difficult for many students.
However, a segment of the student population has expressed dissatisfaction with the approach taken by the student council president. According to these students, lowering registration fees was one of Kollie’s core campaign promises, and they believe the matter should now be addressed through concrete action rather than public statements.
“This was a key message during the campaign,” one student told local media. “Instead of raising it again in the media, he should be implementing what he promised.”
Students argue that while drawing public attention to the issue is important, the primary responsibility of the student council leadership is to engage directly with the college administration. They say this should include formal negotiations, written proposals, and sustained dialogue aimed at achieving practical outcomes for the student body.
Some students further warned that repeatedly raising the issue publicly without providing updates on progress risks creating the perception that little is being done behind the scenes. They are calling on the student council to be more transparent by outlining the steps taken so far, including meetings held with administrators and any commitments made toward reviewing or adjusting the registration fees.
While acknowledging that high registration costs remain a serious challenge—especially for students from economically disadvantaged families—critics maintain that leadership should be measured by results rather than rhetoric.
“Students voted based on promises,” another student remarked. “Now they want to see delivery.”
Students also noted that although the student council has reportedly sponsored several students and supported various campus initiatives, these efforts do not directly address the registration fees that affect the majority of the student population.
Efforts to obtain a response from Student Council President Alfred Kollie regarding the criticism were unsuccessful as of the time of publication.
The ongoing debate has reignited broader discussions on campus about leadership accountability, campaign commitments, and the role of student government in confronting institutional challenges facing students at Bong County Technical College.
