“WITHOUT PEACE EDUCATION, WE RISK REPEATING THE PAST”: LIBERIA PEACE OFFICE URGES CURRICULUM REFORM TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE, VIOLENCE
BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
MONROVIA, Montserrado County,– The Executive Director of Liberia’s Peace Building Office, Sheikh Kamara, is urging the government of Liberia to integrate peace education into high school and university curricula as a tool to address violence and drug abuse among youth.
Speaking on a radio talk show in Monrovia over the weekend, Kamara described peace education as “not just a moral imperative but a critical component of nation-building” as Liberia continues post-war recovery.
“We must ensure that our youth are equipped with the knowledge and values necessary to foster peace and stability in our country,” Kamara said.
“Without a strong foundation of peace education, we risk repeating the mistakes of the past.”
He linked the lack of comprehensive peace education to root causes of violence and drug abuse, which remain major challenges.
“We must address the root causes of drug abuse, not just the symptoms,” he said. “This requires a multi-faceted strategy involving families, schools, and the community.”
Kamara called on government, educators, and communities to create an environment “where peace is not just taught but lived.”
He urged the Ministry of Education to prioritize peace education in the national curriculum and make it accessible to all students.
He also assigned a leadership role to universities: “Higher education institutions must lead the way in promoting peace and dialogue.
They are the future leaders of our nation, and it is their responsibility to carry forward the values of peace.”
Kamara further appealed to international partners to support Liberia’s peace-building efforts “to ensure that our children grow up in a safe and peaceful environment.