“Don’t Play With Your Education!!!” … Sen. Cooper Urges Haywood Graduates

Senator Oscar Cooper of Margibi County has urged the 2018-2019 graduates of the Haywood Mission Institute to use their education positively, aimed at impacting the lives of the ordinary Liberians.
Serving as the Keynote Speaker of the 48th Graduation Convocation yesterday, Senator Cooper called on the students to further use their education as a means of contributing to the growth and development of the country.
He warned the graduates not to get involved in those things that will retard the efforts they made in obtaining the education acquired thus far and admonished them to get involved in those developmental initiatives that will improve the lives of Liberians and contribute significantly to the country.
“Don’t play with your education; today, you’re privileged to graduate from high school, but there are thousands of Liberian children who don’t have such opportunity, so, invest your time in those good initiatives that will make your country better,” Senator Cooper stated.
Using himself as an example to epitomize his sojourn in life, the Senator asked the Grads this basic question. “How many of you want to be President, Senators, Representatives, or even politicians? How many of you want to be doctors, teachers, and nurses?
In what appeared like a drama, most of the students expressed shock, and went quiet upon hearing Senator Cooper mentioning about teachers. “What!!! Teacher? I don’t want to be a teacher; I don’t want to suffer as teachers in Liberia are considered the poorest among professional people, so, I won’t choose to be a teacher,” one of the graduates stated.
Senator Cooper further stated that if Liberia is to make some gains in her future generation, the government needs to invest in today’s kids. He said, investing in the 3 year olds will make a significant mark in tomorrow’s generation.
He further stated that if Liberia invests in its citizens, the dividends it will get will be very rewarding. According to him, Liberia will need about 6500 teachers who will be recruited all around the country to teach those kids that will enroll in the program and after 3 years, another batch of teachers would be recruited.
Senator Cooper said, when this program is developed, there will be job opportunities and Liberia will produce good brains that will contribute significantly to the country’s educational sector.
“The reason why our country is lagging behind in academic excellence, is because we are not investing in education. I was not born with a silver spoon, so, you too can born your children with silver spoons. My parents fought furtively to educate me, so, you too can also do likewise,” he stated.
For his part, the sponsor of the graduating class, Abraham J. Joe in presenting the graduating students said, the 2019 graduates were one of the best classes in the history of the institution.
The valedictorian, Delphine Williams admonished her colleagues to focus more on the future and bravely face the challenges of what the future has to offer. “Before I take my seat, I would like to leave you with these words: “Life will give you hundred reasons to cry, but through faith, determination and hope in God, you will give thousand reasons to smile,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the Principal of the Haywood Mission Institute, Bishop Dr. Leo M. Simpson expressed satisfaction for the level of excellence his institution had made since its inception.
According to him, the school had produced graduates that have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Liberian society.