Zorzor District —The Zorzor Rural Teacher Training Institute (ZRTTI) in Zorzor District, Lofa County, has graduated 81 trainees from its Cohort 14 Pre-Service “C” certificate teacher training program.
By Yawah Y. Jaivey
The graduates include 14 female and 67 male, who were recruited from Nimba,Lofa and Bong Counties.
Abe Kortu Kekula, the Director of the ZRTTI, lauded the graduates for their maximum cooperation during the implementation of the 2024/ 2025 Academic Year.
“Let me also appreciate the instructional staff for their tireless efforts in making sure that these young Liberians were trained despite several challenges encountered,” Mr. Kekula noted.
He admonished the graduates to apply all those professional skills acquired to develop themselves and positively contribute to the Liberian society.
The ZRTTI Director assured the Ministry of Education of his administration’s commitment to doing its utmost best to ensure that quality and qualified teachers are produced in subsequent cohorts.
Honorable Jackson F. Wolobah, the Assistant Minister for Statistics at the Ministry of Labour, serving as keynote speaker, said that he was proud of the tremendous contributions the ZRTTI has made over the years in the transformation of the lives of Liberians.
The Assistant Minister Wolobah described teachers as “heroes and heroines” and “builders of a new Liberia”.
“Today’s graduation marks another milestone — not only for this institution but for the thousands of children whose lives will be transformed by your service,” Assistant Minister Wolobah told the graduates.
Mr. Wolobah reflected on Liberia’s post-war rebuilding, describing education as central to the country’s recovery. “Our nation was rebuilt not with weapons, but with the minds and hearts of teachers, nurses, and civil servants who dared to believe in Liberia’s rebirth,” he said.
He emphasized the critical role of teachers, calling them “the foundation upon which all other professions are built” and “the architects of Liberia’s future.”
The Assistant Labour Minister urged the graduates to view their work as a national duty, stressing that, “Every time you step into a classroom, you advance the AAID. Every lesson you teach is an investment in Liberia’s future.”
He also pointed to teachers’ influence in reducing rural-urban migration, building local economies, and fostering civic engagement, underscoring the importance of closer ties between education and workforce development.
Assistant Minister Wolobah commended ZRTTI’s role in uplifting rural communities, calling the graduation “a declaration that rural Liberia will no longer be left behind.”
“You are ambassadors of hope. You are the face of decentralization,” he told the graduates, reminding them of their broader roles in promoting health, hygiene, environmental awareness, and citizenship, particularly in underserved regions like Lofa.
He encouraged the new graduates to remain steadfast, professional, and patriotic despite the difficulties they faced, including limited resources and poor infrastructure.
“Let professionalism, ethics, and patriotism be your guiding light. The eyes of our children — and the hopes of our nation — are upon you,” he urged.
Assistant Minister Wolobah stated: “Be a light. Be a leader. Be a Liberian,” quoting Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
“Go forth and teach. Go forth and build. Go forth and lead Liberia to the greatness we all dream of,” he urged.
