St Michael Lower Basic School in Njongou Village Lower Nuimi District last Friday held their annual Speech and Prize-Giving ceremony at the school’s premises.

Sang Pierre Mendy, Principal of the school, in his report said a total of 122 students from grade 9 were graduating, comprising 66 boys and 56 girls. He added that the school registered 854 students at the start of the academic year, 438 boys and 421 girls, which represented a 6 percent increased in the enrolment rate of the school. He also stated that the school had a total of 40 teachers, 29 male and 11 female.  The school had also registered 128 students for the 2006 Gambia Basic Education Examination with the West African Examination Council (WAEC), with 66 students representing 52 percent passed. 

The St Michael Lower Basic’s Principal acknowledged the support rendered to the school by donors towards the realisation of their aims and objectives in providing quality and affordable education to Gambian children, rating St Michael as among the best academic institutions in The Gambia, established in 1959 by missionaries.

He equally called on the parents and students not to relent in their efforts towards making the school the best learning institution.

He, however, appealed to donors, especially the Catholic Education Secretariat, to help the school complete its fencing project for the security of students and the garden and to also help them with staff quarters, as part of efforts to keep the staff closer to students.

Mr. Samba Ousman Ngajigo, Chairman of Kerewan Area Council, who was the Guest Speaker of the occasion, hailed the efforts of St Michael School in providing quality and affordable education to the country’s future leaders. He urged the graduating students not to relent in their pursuit for higher education, describing education as the key to success. He delved into the numerous achievements of the school since its inception.

The ceremony was marked by presentation of awards to deserving students of outstanding achievement, staff of the school, and vendors of the school.