Othello Sarweh Nimely
The Assistant Minister for Correction at the Ministry of Justice, Gabriel F. Ndupellar, has called on young Liberians to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a pathway to employment and self-reliance in the face of persistent youth unemployment.
Minister Ndupellar made the remarks on Thursday October 2, 2023 when he served as Keynote Speaker at the 20th Commencement ceremony of the Revelation Seventh-day Adventist High School in Gardnersville where over 90 graduates, most under the age of 25 received diplomas.
Reflecting on his own journey as an alumnus of Revelation SDA, Ndupellar recounted that it took him nearly a decade after graduation to secure steady employment.
He said this experience underscored the importance of practical skills alongside academic achievement.
“Graduation is not the end but the beginning of lifelong learning,” he told the graduates. “In today’s Liberia, young people cannot depend solely on degrees. Vocational education provides employable skills in areas like agriculture, auto mechanics, tailoring, ICT, plumbing, construction, and hospitality, skills that open doors to both jobs and entrepreneurship,” he said.
The program was attended by officials of the SDA education system, parents, and community members who celebrated the students’ achievement.
With over 40 percent of Liberia’s population under the age of 25, Ndupellar stressed that investing in vocational education is critical for the nation’s development.
He noted that countries prioritizing TVET have successfully reduced unemployment, stimulated innovation, and empowered youth to become productive citizens.
“TVET is not a fallback,” he emphasized. “It is a smart, practical path to independence and national growth. I urge every graduate here to seize the opportunity to build skills that will make you self-sustaining and valuable to society.”
Ndupellar also encouraged the new graduates to build a strong alumni network, dream boldly, and contribute to Liberia’s progress.
Also speaking, the President of the student council government urged her fellow graduates to pursue higher education, noting that high school is just the beginning of education journey.
The graduating class was seen celebrating joyfully with their families, as proud parents and guardians cheered, embraced, and with the new graduates. The atmosphere at the Revelation SDA campus was filled with excitement and relief, as students marked the end of their high school journey and looked ahead to new opportunities.
As the curtains closed on the colorful ceremony, the message from both school and state officials resonated clearly. Education must go beyond the classroom to include skills that empower young people for the realities of Liberia’s job market.
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