By: Gabriel Parker
Tubmanburg, Bomi County – A Bomi County based youth group has launched a passionate plea for education authorities of the county to introduce vocational training in all high schools across the county.
our Bomi County Correspondent said all high school in the county do not have vocational training centers as such there is a need for local and national authorities to consider that component of learning in those schools.
According to Youth Let’s Talk, incorporating different vocational disciplines into the national curriculum will help address the rising unemployment rate among young people across the country.
The advocacy group is worried that many high school graduates of the county and those graduating will find it difficult due to lack on hands-on as Liberia struggled to provide employment opportunities for the population.
In a society where many live below the poverty line, many Bomi residents according to the group are in most cases unable to support their kids to attain tertiary education after high school.
Youth Let’s Talk noted that secondary education alone is not adequate to prepare students for the job market as many of them have little or no opportunities to get to colleges/universities to thread a career path.
According to the advocacy group, a significant number of young people between the ages of 16 and 25 in Bomi County, are resorting to commercial motorcycling and traditional charcoal production after high school as a primary means of survival.
Youth Let’s Talk described this situation as troubling and argued that better educational opportunities could offer these youth more sustainable career paths.
“Integrating technical training into the curriculum would make students more marketable and enhance their ability to secure employment or start their own businesses. A combination of formal and informal education would not only benefit students but also contribute to the overall development of Liberia by creating a skilled workforce.” The group mentioned in a statement.
They believe this initiative would help reduce poverty and drive economic growth.
As part of their recommendations, the group is urging the Ministry of Education to make technical and vocational training a compulsory part of the high school curriculum, beginning with the 2025/2026 academic year.
Youth Let’s Talk argued that early exposure to vocational skills will provide students with better opportunities in life and called on national leaders, educational stakeholders, and development partners to support their proposal.
