Africa-Press – Liberia. The Booker Washington Institute (BWI) is set to go through a smooth transition as President Joseph N. Boakai appoints a new principal (Dr. Nancy Freeman) to the institute.
Following the appointment of the new principal by President Boakai, Ex-officio Jonathan Paye-Layleh, led some prominent individuals of BWI and other members of the Board of Governors to ensure a smooth transition process which is expected to take place soon.
Shortly after the meeting; Paye-Layleh, who served as an Ex-official on the team from the office of the President, disclosed that the meeting was aimed at ensuring a smooth handover of office by outgoing Principal Dr. Harris Fomba Tarnue.
“We know once her announcement was made, they know that a lot of things must be put on hold so that the new person will not take over to see some strange things,” Paye-Layleh said. “We are delighted as a product of this school that the President has reposed trust in us to work with the new administration so we can deal with the bigger ones.”
Paye-layleh however clarified that Principal Tarnue was never dismissed, sacked as it has been perceived in the public space. “It was the matter of the President of Liberia who has the power to appoint, so that once a Liberian has served for some time, it is important that another Liberian serve in the same capacity,” he said.
“So, the takeaway is that, the people here are preparing themselves to receive a new person who will have to show what he/she is going to do for the school. We don’t want the transition to be long because, sometimes, a lot of things happen but we trust the intelligence and the skills of the principal Tarnue.
He added that while the school anticipates the new principal, it is important to work together as the alumni and put all hands on deck to support the new administration that comes in for BWI to be rebranded.
During the meeting, Dr. Harris Tarnue lauded the President for his preferment and at the same time noted that while it is true he will be leaving the walls of BWI; he remains part of the Alumni Association of BWI because he is a statutory member of the institute’s board of governors.
Dr. Tarnue will transition into a new capacity as a member of the National Educational Advisory Board, which will have some oversight over BWI.
Recently President Joseph N. Boakai also appointed Dr. Tarnue to serve in a new capacity as a member of the National Educational Advisory Board – a position that will allow him to have some oversight at the BWI.
Dr. Tarnue following a rigorous vetting process in 2016, was appointed by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Principal of BWI, a position in which he served for 7 years.
Dr. Tarnue acknowledged that he’s leaving the walls of BWI, he will still be actively involved with activities of the institute.
“As a graduate of this school I will always be a part of the BWI Alumni Association because I am a statutory member of the board of governors of this institution.”
Tarnue, during his deliberation, highlighted numerous achievements under his administration with the support of the BWI Board of Governors.
Principal Tarnue’s Accomplishments
“I came here leading with the roadmap plan bearing clearly in mind about things that I wanted to achieve here.
We had a strategic planning session here and revalidated and proposed 5 strategic points in providing leadership at the BWI. These points most of them are still valid and [were] revealed last year by the general assembly.”
Mr. Tarnue’s 7 years at BWI were characterized by gains made in the areas of academia and infrastructural development. He mentioned a UNESCO Assessment of Quality of Service Delivery of All Public TVET Institutions in Liberia, conducted in 2021, which rated BWI 90% among all other public institutions. In addition, Mr. Tarnue recounted regular staff strategic leading institutions with almost 400 staff that assisted in the implementation of five strategic plans that oversaw the smooth running of the institution.
“Now that we have a new government,” Tarnue said, “it is necessary to stay within the confines of the rule of law and the statutes of BWI for the betterment and progress of our beloved institution.
“In our final trip to India,” he added, “we have a project in the pipeline to establish a common use science laboratory for all 15 high schools in Kakata city. To be able to access science laboratory education [is our] vision for beyond the BWI border, helping to reach the community.”
He continued: “With all we have accomplished over the years, we may not sing the school ode some days when our school life is over but, some day, when our service is over, we shall continue serving dear BWI.
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