By Precious D. Freeman
The Executive Director of the Banking Institute of Liberia, Richard Panton, has emphasized the urgent need to incorporate life skills into Liberia’s educational curriculum to tackle the persistent unemployment challenges faced by the country’s youth.
Speaking in an exclusive interview in Monrovia, he explained that equipping students with practical life skills would prepare them for the job market and empower them to contribute meaningfully to national development, regardless of their formal educational achievements.
“The inclusion of life skills in the curriculum will address many of the labor market issues and help develop trained manpower, which is crucial for solving societal problems,” Panton asserted.
Liberia continues to struggle with high youth unemployment rates, partly due to a mismatch between academic qualifications and labor market demands.
Many young Liberians graduate from high school or university without the practical vocational skills such as auto mechanics, carpentry, masonry, and plumbing needed to secure employment, particularly in the private sector.
Over the years, civil society organizations, prominent citizens, and policymakers have repeatedly called for the integration of vocational and life skills training into the national curriculum.
However, limited resources and competing government priorities have hindered progress.
Assistant Professor Panton underscored that addressing youth unemployment requires a paradigm shift in Liberia’s education system.
“Liberians will continue to face employment challenges unless vocational and life skills training are included in their educational credentials,” he noted.
To complement his advocacy, the Banking Institute of Liberia recently signed a partnership agreement with Afriktech Solutions, a Liberian financial institution.
The collaboration will introduce computerized accounting courses, such as QuickBooks, Excel, and Tally, aimed at equipping high school graduates and university students with practical skills for the job market.
The Banking Institute of Liberia has been at the forefront of providing professional training in financial disciplines.
This month, the institute will graduate over 165 students trained in areas including banking and finance, internal audit controls, procurement and supply chain management, compliance and corporate risk management, and more.
With its focus on equipping students with relevant skills, the institution aims to bridge the gap between academic education and labor market demands.
As Liberia continues to grapple with youth unemployment, the call for life skills inclusion in the educational curriculum remains a critical step toward creating a skilled workforce and fostering economic growth.
