MONROVIA, LIBERIA — Eugene Tuan-wleh Williams, a 2029 presidential hopeful and President of the Liberia Redemption Squad, has proposed making Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) a compulsory component of Liberia’s senior high school curriculum.
Williams is calling for reforms to the Ministry of Education’s curriculum to ensure that academic instruction is complemented by practical skills training, giving students opportunities to acquire employable skills before graduating from high school.
Under his proposal, secondary schools across Liberia would be required to offer at least one or more vocational disciplines, including tailoring, carpentry, mechanics, electrical installation, plumbing, baking, soap-making, and tie-dyeing, among other trades.
The proposed program would target students in Grades 10 through 12, allowing them to select vocational fields based on their interests, abilities, and career aspirations while continuing their academic studies.
Williams believes Liberia’s education system should prepare students for life beyond the classroom by equipping them with practical competencies that can support employment, entrepreneurship, and further professional development.
He argued that academic certificates alone are insufficient if graduates lack the practical skills needed to earn a living or establish independent businesses.
“A certificate should not be the only thing a child takes away from twelve years of formal education. They must also leave with a skill that can sustain them,” Williams said.
He further maintained that introducing vocational training at the secondary school level could help address youth unemployment, encourage small-business development, and expand opportunities for young Liberians seeking alternatives to formal employment.
The proposal would, however, require significant investment in vocational training facilities, qualified instructors, equipment, and curriculum development to ensure that schools, particularly those in rural communities, can deliver effective practical instruction.
Williams said his broader objective is to see Liberian students graduate with both academic qualifications and practical abilities that enable them to participate in economic activities and contribute to national development.
His proposal places technical and vocational education at the center of discussions about educational reform, youth employment, and the preparation of Liberia’s future workforce.
