By Lewis S. Teh
MONROVIA, Liberia, September 1, 2026: Senate President Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence has encouraged Liberian students who performed poorly in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) not to let their results define their future, revealing that she also failed the regional exam after completing high school.
Karnga-Lawrence shared her personal experience in a message of encouragement to students receiving their WASSCE results, urging those who were unsuccessful to remain determined and pursue other opportunities.
“I passed 12th grade from Ricks Institute. But I failed WAEC. And I didn’t participate in the graduation,” Karnga-Lawrence said.
“I was discouraged, but I refused to let one exam define me.”
The Grand Bassa County Senator said she did not resit the examination but continued pursuing her education, eventually attending university and earning a master’s degree.
“Today, I serve as the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate,” she said.
Drawing on her experience, Karnga-Lawrence urged students not to view poor examination results as the end of their academic or professional aspirations.
“Your result today is not your destiny. Get up. Learn. Try again. Find another door,” she said.
She congratulated students who successfully passed the examination while offering encouragement to those who did not achieve their desired results.
“To those who passed, congratulations. We are proud of you!” she said. “To those who didn’t, I believe in you. Liberia believes in you.”
Karnga-Lawrence’s message comes as Liberian students receive their WASSCE results, with some facing decisions about whether to resit the examination or pursue other educational opportunities.
The Senate Pro-Tempore urged students to treat academic setbacks as challenges to be overcome through persistence and continued learning, rather than as barriers to future success.
Her own experience, she said, demonstrates that a disappointing examination result does not necessarily determine a person’s future educational, professional or leadership prospects.
