As part of effort to bridge the professional teachers’ gap in Liberia, the administration of Faith International Teacher Training Institute has trained and graduated with “C” certificate 18 young men and women in general education.
The year-long theoretical and practical teacher training drilled the professionals in classroom management, school administration, primary education, early childhood education, phonics and handwriting, among others.
Rev. Dr. Cyrenius Langford, keynote speaker of the occasion, emphasized the need for attention to be given to teachers across the country.
He asserted that no nation can develop without professional teachers, observing that teachers play pivotal roles in the growth and development of a nation.
Speaking on the theme, “The Power of a Teacher” the clergy man educator used the medium to call on the Government of Liberia (GOL) and her development partners to ensure teachers across the country are well taken care of in terms of salary, housing, health, among others.
Dr. Langford however cautioned the graduates to remain ethical in the discharge of their duties, hinting that there will temptations and challenges ahead.
He wanted the graduates to always upgrade in the profession, be committed to developing the nation, developing the minds and characters of students, and remain emotionally intelligent.
Rev. Dr. Langford, Founder of the Joseph N. Langford Institute of Teacher Education, lauded the graduates for their decision to enter the classroom and positively contribute to nation-building through professional mind-molding.
He commended the management of Faith International Teacher Training Institute for a job well done, and challenged them to do more. Rev. Dr. Langford reminded them that the transformation of the Liberian society rests on the shoulders of teachers and their training institutes across the country.
He said he wants people in the habit of looking down on teachers and classifying them as poor people to desist, adding that without teachers there can be no doctor, engineer, lawyer, among others.
Myers C. Sayon, valedictorian of the class of AIMOATI (Our Time), for his part, extended gratitude to the school’s administrative team for mentoring them for the task ahead.
He called on his colleagues to put into practice what they have learned, and urged them not to see “C” certificate as their end but rather the beginning of achieving professional teacher education.
He added his voice to that of Rev. Dr. Chronus Langford to call on the government to ensure the life of teachers across the country is improved to international standards.
Apostle Alfre T. Ballayan, President and Training Director of FITTI, recounting the challenges along the way, and said the success of the second cohort’s graduation was made possible through the grace of God and the tireless efforts of his trainers and support staff.
He is however calling on young men and women in the classroom with nonprofessional training to take advantage of the Faith International Teacher Training Institute to positively shift their destiny by obtaining training.
He commended the Ministry of Education’s Department of Teacher Education for the support over the years, noting that the role they have played cannot be left un-appreciated.
