By Langston Joe Wilson, LINA Maryland County Correspondent
KONOWROKEN, June 28 (LINA) – Pleebo City Mayor Larry G. Geekor has challenged newly graduated teachers of the Webbo Rural Teacher Training Institute (WRTTI) to serve as agents of transformation by applying practical skills, adaptability, and professionalism in both the classroom and their communities.
Delivering the keynote address at the graduation ceremony of Cohort 15 under the institute’s “C” Certificate Program, Mayor Geekor underscored the critical role of skills training in preparing young people for the future workforce and contributing to national development.
“Skill training holds immense economic and personal value. It offers a fast, cost-effective pathway to high-demand careers and directly bridges the gap between education and employment,” Mayor Geekor told graduates, educators, government officials, and invited guests attending the ceremony.
According to the Mayor, vocational and skills-based education equips individuals with practical competencies that translate directly into workplace productivity and long-term career success.
He noted that such programs enable faster entry into the labor market, are often more affordable than traditional university education, and are specifically designed to respond to the demands of the labor market.
Mayor Geekor described skills training as a powerful instrument for building a competent and dependable workforce capable of serving various sectors of society.
Addressing the graduates directly, the Mayor emphasized that graduation marks the beginning, rather than the end, of their professional journey.
“You are graduating not only with knowledge of academic subjects, but also with the ability to transfer skills to others,” he said. “Remember the values embedded in skills training—dignity, equity, adaptability, and legacy. These values will define your impact more than any textbook ever could.”
Geekor praised WRTTI for preparing teachers not merely to deliver lessons, but to empower students with practical life skills.
He stressed that effective teaching extends beyond classroom instruction and includes nurturing critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and self-reliance among learners.
The Pleebo City Mayor also urged the graduates to embrace sound pedagogical practices and adaptability as they enter classrooms populated by learners from diverse educational, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
“The skills of pedagogy—questioning, scaffolding, and feedback—are what make you qualified educators today. Therefore, do not neglect these essential skills in your teaching profession,” he advised.
Mayor Geekor further encouraged the graduates to remain lifelong learners, stressing that while educational curricula may evolve over time, the abilities to learn continuously, collaborate, think critically, and adapt will remain indispensable throughout their careers.
“You are entering the teaching profession at a time when adaptability is the most valuable skill. Your trainers did not simply give you today’s syllabus; they prepared you to adapt lessons for any child, any topic, and any disruption,” he noted.
In his closing remarks, the Mayor reminded the graduates that they are not merely teachers, but nation-builders entrusted with shaping future generations.
“May you teach in such a way that every child leaves your classroom with more reasons to hope for the future,” he urged.
Mayor Geekor also cautioned the graduates to uphold the ethics of the teaching profession by avoiding misconduct, respecting colleagues, remaining passionate about their work, shunning jealousy, and managing their time effectively.
The graduation ceremony marked another milestone for the Webbo Rural Teacher Training Institute as it certificated 28 newly trained teachers who are expected to serve in primary schools across southeastern Liberia and beyond.
The Webbo Rural Teacher Training Institute, located in Konowroken, Webbo District, River Gee County, is one of Liberia’s three government-owned Rural Teacher Training Institutes (RTTIs), alongside the Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute in Margibi County and the Zorzor Rural Teacher Training Institute in Lofa County.