27/04/2026
Graduation Remarks – LICOSESS College of Education
Dr. Charles Gbollie, President, PEAL
Honorable officials of government, distinguished policymakers, members of the education community, the leadership and faculty of LICOSESS College of Education, proud parents and families, colleagues, and above all, our graduating teachers and educators—good day.
Today is not just a ceremony. It is a moment of national significance.
Let me begin by warmly commending LICOSESS College of Education for its continued contribution to the development of Liberia’s human capital. You are not just graduating students—you are producing nation builders.
I am particularly proud to recognize that the President of this great institution serves as a member of the Board of the Professional Educators Association of Liberia (PEAL)—a reflection of the shared vision to elevate professionalism and strengthen our education system.
I also extend sincere appreciation to members of PEAL. The Professional Educators Association of Liberia (PEAL) is a national professional body committed to bringing educators together to promote excellence, uphold ethical standards, strengthen capacity, and advocate for a more effective and accountable education system. We believe that when educators unite with purpose, we can transform classrooms, strengthen schools, and shape the future of our nation.
To Our Graduates
To the over 1,200 teachers and educators graduating today—congratulations.
Your achievement is not small. It represents discipline, sacrifice, and purpose. It represents hope—not just for you, but for Liberia.
Because every trained teacher is a seed of transformation.
Where you go, learning will grow. Where you stand, minds will be shaped. Where you serve, the future will be built.
A Moment of Truth
But today, even as we celebrate, we must also reflect honestly.
Liberia has made significant strides in training teachers. Institutions like LICOSESS are producing graduates in large numbers. This is progress—and we must celebrate it.
We commend efforts being made by the Ministry of Education in championing this process.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that:
- We no longer have a shortage of trained teachers as it used to be.
- What we face today is a serious challenge in their placement and utilization. This is where more needs to be done.
Across our communities, many qualified teachers are ready to serve; but some remain on the sidelines. At the same time, in some classrooms, we still find individuals without the required training standing before our children. We need to correct this.
Strengthening the System
As part of our efforts to improving education, we must strengthen the system by ensuring all our classrooms have qualified – trained teachers.
Allow me to put it simply:
- You cannot fix a leaking bucket by pouring more water into it.
If the system allows untrained teachers into classrooms while trained teachers wait,
we create the leak.
- If the system remains open without clear standards—walk in, walk out, stepping stone—
we widen the leak.
And no matter how much we invest, we will continue to struggle to achieve the results we desire.
Recognizing Progress, Calling for Precision
We must acknowledge and commend the Government of Liberia through MoE and its partners for important reforms and investments in education:
• Strengthening foundational learning, as seen through initiatives like the EXCEL Project
• Supporting teacher development through programs such as Leaders in Teaching, funded by the Mastercard Foundation.
These are bold and necessary steps.
But as we move forward, we must also take one decisive step that anchors all others:
The Way Forward
Let us begin to clearly determine who enters the classroom—and who remains there.
This is not about exclusion—it is about standards, quality, and accountability.
And the pathway is clear: Teacher Licensing and School Accreditation
These are not just policies—they are tools for system transformation.
- A simple but powerful action—
No new hiring of unlicensed teachers—
can begin a quiet but meaningful revolution.
It will:
• Restore the dignity of the teaching profession
• Ensure quality instruction for every child
• Create fairness for those who have worked hard to become trained educators
A Call to Graduates
To our graduates—this moment is your beginning.
You are entering a profession that is not just a job—it is a calling.
A calling to: Shape minds ; Build character; Transform lives
But you must also rise above the ordinary.
Be: Professional ; Ethical Committed to continuous learning
And above all, be agents of change.
An Invitation
I invite each of you to become part of something bigger.
Join the Professional Educators Association of Liberia (PEAL).
A safe and professional home where:
• Your voice is heard
• Your growth is supported
• Your profession is protected
Together, we will:
• Promote excellence | Advocate for better conditions | Strengthen policy
• And elevate the teaching profession in Liberia
Conclusion
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Liberia’s future will not be built by chance, but intentionally—through teachers, in classrooms, one learner at a time. Let us not only train teachers, but position them. Let us not only invest, but invest wisely. Let us not only reform, but get it right. The future is here, and it sits before us today. Congratulations once again to our graduates. May God bless your journey, and may God bless Liberia.
