Monrovia – The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Jewel Howard Taylor, speaking at the closing ceremony of the Maryann Cheeseman School of Home Economics and Cosmetology, has labeled vocational and technical education as the key to Liberia’s illiteracy problem and urged the graduates of the Maryann Cheeseman School to use what they have learned to change their society for good.
By Francis G. Boayue
VP-Taylor, made the statement over the weekend, when she served as guest speaker for the 51st graduation ceremony of the Maryann Cheeseman School of Home Economics and Cosmetology.
She said: “Having learned these skills, it’s expected that professionals from this school will not put their certificates on the shelves for decoration only but put their skills to work by engaging in some business ventures that would improve their lives and those they will employ.”
“To the graduating class, I say congratulations and well done. To all those who contributed to the success of these graduates, I say thank you; keep up the good work to help transform the minds of our people.
“Having considered the importance of vocational and technical education and the economic challenges in Liberia, we can agree that this nation finds itself at a crossroads as we strive to minimize the level of illiteracy in the country in fulfillment of the government’s Pro-poor Agenda and maximize the development of professionals through career and technical education,” she said.
She added: “We are privileged today, to witness the graduation ceremony of 100 professionals who form an integral part of the nation-building process.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Joyce Crayton, Principal of the school said the transformation of Liberia depends on a program to transform the citizenry and society.
” For this to happen, the program that prepared these students need to have well-structured curricular, trained faculty that will build the knowledge and skills of the trainers”, Mrs. Crayton said.
Madam Crayton used the time to call on the graduates to be good entrepreneurs and ambassadors of the school as they go about creating jobs for many families in the larger society.
“Finally, to the graduating class of ” Aii-kpeh” I urge each of you to use your skills and make the change that we all desire to see” she concluded.