Poor education a security threat

Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel Tweah says there is no greater threat to national security than the quality of education government seeks for its people.

During a signing ceremony for a US$24m European Union (EU) support that highlights education and technical skills for young people last week, Mr. Tweah equated the poor quality of the educational sector here to national security threat.

“All of the investment we are making in this country is to generate revenue to finance priorities that lead to education. We’re not just financing the roads to have beautiful light but we’re going to boost the economy so that the country … resources can be applied to resolving the challenges in the education sector,” he said Thursday, 3 May in Monrovia.

Minister Tweah argued that due to the poor quality of the educational sector here, young people are jobless, adding that it is why government is committed to providing the necessary opportunities that will help the young people get the relevant skills.

According to Mr. Tweah, government is concerned about Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), noting that it plays a prominent role in addressing youth problems.

He adds that in the next five years, government will bring the entire TVET program together including the policy and the plan to build strong working relationship and move toward one goal in empowering young people.

He thanked the EU for the continued support given the government, noting that the EU remains one of the best partners for stronger cooperation. He says government remains committed to strongest coordination and cooperation to gain the needed results.

The President George Manneh Weah government secured a US$24 Million additional funding from the EU last week as a means of supporting the Pro-poor Agenda to lift the people out of poverty.

During the a press conference at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, newly accredited EU Ambassador to Liberia Mrs. Helene Cave expressed delight over the signing ceremony by the government and the EU. The EU envoy said the agreement will help in the development of the country.

“It is a true pleasure to be here today. This long awaited signing ceremony of these agreements will expand the EU partnership with Liberia in the areas of Education, specifically Technical and Vocational Education and Training or TVET and support for civil society,” she says.

According to her, the agreement is valued at 24 Million and will make a significant contribution to government’s Pro-poor Agenda. The EU Ambassador however narrates that quality technical and vocational education and training are key to unlocking employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people.

According to her, over half of the country’s population is made of the youth, saying it is a great strength for development of the country. Mrs. Cave revealed that the program will therefore support the government to modernize TVET, promote training in strategic sectors of the economy, foster an entrepreneurship culture and equip youth with skills that actually match labour market demand and respond to new economic growth opportunities.

By Lewis S. Teh–Edited by Winston W. Parley