By Aisha Tamba
Bakau Lower Basic School last week held its 1st graduation ceremony of 152 students since the establishment of the school in 1974.
The colourful gathering that brought parents, students, teachers, graduates, was held under the theme “knowledge is power.”
The school headmaster, Saihou Ceesay, said: “This noble institution was and still is a centre of excellence. It has produced many intellectuals and distinguished citizens who have served both nationally and internationally.
“The first child to be registered in 1947 was the late Mr Sawalo Jack. He was a great scholar, a veteran and distinguished lecturer whom most people passed through, including myself at the Gambia College. May his sole rest in peace.”
“The first time in 71 years of history of this great institution and under my leadership as the headmaster, we are organising a graduation ceremony and awarding of certificates to our grade 6 pupils.
“When I succeeded my predecessor in February this year, I observed that enrolment has drastically gone down. I decided to engage all stakeholders and the regional planning focal point through consultative meetings and technical advice,” he added.
He said the school has finally reached a consensus on the matter that there is a need to incorporate an early child development centre in the school in order to increase enrolment.
“We have conducted a feasibility study in town just to discover that many children at the age of 3 are at home not attending nursery school by virtue of their parents’ inability to pay private nursery school for them. Since education should be made accessible and affordable, I deem it absolutely necessary to come to their aid by providing free childhood education for the children in Bakau and beyond.”
His words to the graduating students of the cohort 2018: “Graduands remember you are continuing your nine year uninterrupted education. This is a policy directive. Aim higher; go up to university and become professionals so that jobs will be looking for you instead of you looking for jobs and maintain high standard of discipline.” m
