Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended students of the St. Teresa Convent Catholic High School and recounted the tremendous contributions of Liberia’s late President, Edwin Barclay some 80 years.
She said she glad to be part of the St. Teresa Convent family adding – 80 years after one of our great Presidents, Edwin Barclay had being here to open and contribute to this school.
According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement on Thursday, November 30, 2017 on the campus of St. Teresa Catholic High School where she had gone to visit and motivate students during the commemoration the school’s 80th anniversary.
Addressing the students, President Sirleaf said St. Teresa Convent is a landmark institution in the history of Liberia while stressing that back in those days – there were three schools including her alma mater – the College of West Africa, St. Teresa Catholic High School and St. Patrick Catholic High School were noted for quality education.
President Sirleaf paid tribute to former Minister of Finance, Antoinette Sayeh, Monrovia City Mayor, Clara Doe-Mvogo, Ms. Ethel Holt Toles; deputy Chief of Protocol – Executive Mansion, Ambassador Ethel Davis, Bloh Sayeh, director of the National Archives, among others who graduated from St. Teresa Catholic High School and are serving top positions in both the private and public sectors.
She also used the occasion to salute to the teachers and Parent-Teacher Association and stressed the importance of the PTA to quality education and urged the need for attention must be given it.
The Liberian leader lauded 12th graders for always coming ahead in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and acknowledged the essence of quality education being imparted by the teachers.
She furthered that while there are still problems in the educational sector, she similarly spoke of bad roads and unqualified teachers, which according to her disallow some children from getting quality education. She encouraged the students to be whatever they can be once they believe in themselves and work towards their dreams and aspirations.
Also speaking, the Principal of St. Teresa Catholic High School Sis. Evelina Degulglielmo welcomed and expressed deep gratitude to President Sirleaf for the visit.
She said since the establishment of the school in 1937 during which time former President Barclay opened she was glad to see the first democratically female elected President of Africa visit the school after 80 years.
She commended President Sirleaf for her outstanding leadership skills exhibited over the years and her government’s support to education.
She particularly thanked President Sirleaf for the peace Liberia now enjoys.