The Kakata Rural Teachers Training Institute (KRTTI) in Kakata, Margibi County, has held its first graduation in 20 years, with 178 teachers awarded certificates.

Delivering a special statement on June 20 at the occasion, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf described the graduation as a manifestation of Government’s steadfast commitment to addressing the country’s weak school system. The President commended the country’s partners, particularly the United States of America, the Ministry of Education and the faculty and staff of KRTTI for their contribution to the success of the program.

Because education is pivotal for meaningful national development, the Liberian leader noted that socio-economic progress cannot be achieved until the requisite human resource capacity is built through the support of a strong and productive national education system.

The President, according to an Executive Mansion release, reiterated that at the heart of the country’s present challenge of national reconstruction is the need to rehabilitate, improve and transform Liberia’s education sector.  She said Government has begun to address the burning issues of quality education for all, as many damaged institutions are being rehabilitated and made operational.  The construction of new learning facilities, the President said, is given priority in Government’s drive to make education available and accessible nationwide.

A sign of Government’s commitment to this goal, she added, has been the start of construction of 40 primary schools located in communities that are severely under-served.

The President reminded KRTTI graduates that the country’s future is firmly in their hands, noting that Liberia needs to produce the highest quality of its human resource to meet the challenges of national recovery.

Delivery the keynote address, United States Ambassador to Liberia, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described the graduates as the new face of Liberia’s future.  Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield urged teachers to demonstrate commitment to the recovery of Liberia through their contributions to the education. “What you have learned and how you learned it will shape Liberia’s future,” the U.S. diplomat reminded the graduates, adding, “we want the next generation you will be teaching to be leaders who will make impact.”

Other speakers at Saturday’s program were the Director of KRTTI, Mr. John Sellu, and Education Minister, Dr. Joseph Korto. The ceremony marked the first graduation of the first group of teachers under Kakata Rural Teachers Training Institute “C” certificate program for pre-service teachers. Another batch of gradates is expected to receive certificates next week from the Zorzor Rural Teacher Training Institute in Lofa County.
 

Source: Cyrus Badio
Press Secretary, Executive Mansion - Monrovia