The Intensive Teachers Training Institute (ITTI) over the weekend graduated more than 40 teachers of the 5th combined commencement convocation in Freeland Community, Gbengba Town.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of Faculty at the University of Liberia challenged the graduate to remain focused in the teaching profession.
Professor Stephen M. Jubwe stated that the world is advancing in technology and Liberian teachers should embraced the technological skills to be competent globally.
Professor Jubwe maintained that to be a professional teacher requires good communication skill, avoiding spoon feeding, being a good listener, and resolved to engage more and be flexible.
He underscored that the government should provide good incentives to teacher training institutes across the country to enhance the teaching profession.
According to him, teaching is a noble profession and all who are called to serve in that capacity are expected to do so with compassion, commitment, dedication, perseverance and patience.
Professor Jubwe emphasized that the government should derive practical ways to achieve quality in education and introduce the teacher-eligibility test. He stated that there is the need for more robust and functional standard of in the in-service training of teachers, improvement in the institutional mechanism for periodic monitoring for straight adherence to the teaching profession, and development of a clear selection process for testing the aptitude of students.
Meanwhile, the Director of ITTI, J. Yohyah N. Salwah, II, said ITTI is requesting the assistance of the Liberian government, international community, as well as philanthropic individuals and organizations, to help buttress sound and quality education in Liberia.
“No doubt, we believe with collective efforts we all can build a better and a stronger educational system for our country that Liberia can boast of among the comity of nations,” Director Salwah added.
“We wish to challenge you not to bury your light under the bushel as you walk out of the walls of ITTI today, but rather serve as true ambassadors of light so as to allow your flickering, luminary light of professionalism to outshine the darkness of illiteracy and unprofessionalism within the sector,” he asserted.
Earlier, Student George Z. Selman, who delivered the valedictory address, dismissed the perception that teachers are poor set of people in the society.
Selman stated that the teaching profession is a noble profession, which plays a critical role in the building process of any nation, with Liberia no exception.
He noted that the development of the human resource of Liberia, such as professional doctors, engineers and among others, depends on teachers.
He maintained that the teaching profession should be prioritized if Liberia’s socio-economic development is to be transformed in the near future.