By Samuel Borlay
borlaysamuel@gmail.com
On January 29, 2024, Kolahun Central High School graduated 45 students for academic year 2022/2023. The Principal of the school, Mr. Gabriel N. Kpehe, presented the 45 graduates to the District Educational Officer and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Among the 45 graduates, there were 30 females and 15 males, signaling a drastic reduction in male youth’s enrolment in school within Kolahun District. With this, male’s dominance society is expected to end soon, as the female counterparts stride to be on top of things-evident by the growing number of females’ enrollment in academic institutions.
In his presentation, Mr. Kpehe commended the female students for their outstanding performance and leadership. He expressed gratitude to the teaching staff and recognized the dedication and commitment of the valedictorian, and also encouraged other students to follow the example of their colleagues.
At the 44th commencement convocation of the school, the first female valedictorian of the school, Cynthia Doelue called for more support to girls’ education. She stressed the importance of girls’ education, and expressed joy and gratitude for being selected as the valedictorian among her male counterparts. Miss Doelue took a moment to appreciate the school administration, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and the special guests that graced the occasion marking the 44the commencement of the Kolahun Central High school.
Drawing inspiration from notable women who have made significant contributions in various fields, the Valedictorian urged her fellow female graduates to follow in their footsteps. Doelue passionately spoke about four prominent female figures that have been globally recognized for their outstanding roles in society, emphasizing the importance of these role models for young women. “With this milestone, today should not be the end, but rather the beginning for all of us,” Doelue encouraged her peers.
The PTA Chairman, Mr. Joseph N Koilor extended his appreciation to the school administration for job well done. He encouraged all parents to continue supporting and guiding their children in their educational journey.
As the 45 graduates embark on the next chapter of their lives, they carry with them the knowledge, skills, and inspiration gained from their time at Kolahun Central High School. Their accomplishments stand as a testament to the school’s commitment to academic and personal growth, as well as its unwavering belief in the potential of every student.
But as the ratio of female students increases, there are concerned about the poor enrolment of their male counterparts most of whom have picked up riding motorcycles as their early careers. All though the act of early engaging in motorcycle business is attributed to poverty, concern remains that the country is expected to face grave challenge with unskilled male youth bulk of whom are likely to turn to society’s burdens or baggers when they can no longer be able to ride bikes for living.
The influx of male youth into the motorcycle transport industry as a life-time career is close to creating a lost generation of young people. State authorities are yet to discover this as a national nightmare that would eventually lead to the failure of an entire generation. Since the introduction of this new transport sector in Liberia in 2004, the number of male youth riding motorcycles is increasing on a daily basis with several of them abandoning school or getting in to early marriages.
For them, riding motorcycle has now become a career that one can rely on for life time. Hence, formal education or other means of survival is no more of an alternative. Interestingly, while they continue to ride motorbikes, their female counterparts are speedily moving ahead with their education. Some have not only abandoned school, they are sponsoring their love ones in school while they continue to ride bikes for the upkeep of the family, a situation, social scientists refer to as complete loss of generation.
From a sample of interviews conducted, it is projected that 10 years from now, there would be more educated female youth than male youth in Liberia considering that the current involvement of male youth in the motorcycle transport industry remains unattended. The ratio of 30 female graduates among the total number of 45 graduates from the Kolahun Central High School is a practical example of a soon to be female dominance society in Liberia.
