Jamisa Upper Basic School recently held its seventh annual speech and prize giving ceremony at the school premises in Brikama
Jamisa.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lamin Sanneh, governor of Western Region and the guest speaker described education as a key element for sustainable development. He said that it is generally accepted that education is the most powerful instrument that helps to develop the mind of the young person.

According to him, with education, children are empowered to think critically and contribute positively to the future development of their society. “It was due to these reasons that the government of The Gambia via the Department of State for Education came up with an education policy for 2004-2015 which aims at assuring every Gambian child access to education” he said.

Governor Sanneh further outlined that a vision has already been set to transform The Gambia into a dynamic middle income country. "Obviously, education is crucial in the attainment of these objectives,” he said.

He then told students that it is wise to note that the end of their grade nine in the education policy means the beginning of a new cycle at a different level. He also urged parents to regard education as the pathway for their children.

Presenting his annual report, Batuwo Jaiteh, principal of the school revealed that his school is still a growing young school of only nine years. He told the gathering that the school has a total enrolment figure of 1, 209  students, comprising of 602 girls and 607 boys.

Academic performances

On the academic performance of the school, Principal Jaiteh said that his school’s academic domain is based on the dictates of the national curriculum of the Department of State for Basic Secondary Examination, which entails various learning experiences aimed at helping the development of the children’s potentials for the requisition of knowledge, skills and positive attitudes.

According to Principal Jaiteh, his school’s overall best aggregate scored in the 2006 Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examination (GABECE) was aggregate 9, while the 2007 academic year escalated to aggregate 7. "In general terms," he continued, “43% have successfully gained entrance in the various senior secondary schools.”

Extra curricular activities

Reporting on the status of his school’s extra curricular activities, Mr Jaiteh told the gathering that during the annual Inter-Secondary School Athletic Championships held at Bottrop this year, his school came out second out of sixteen participating Upper Basic Schools in the heats. He added that during the final competition at the stadium, his school came out fourth out of thirty-six participating schools.  

He further pronounced that during the commemoration of the Francophone day quiz and drama competition held at the Gambia College, his school emerged second, carrying home several prizes. He then thanked the Parent Teachers Association of the school and urged students to close ranks in the interest of the prospective developments.

The ceremony was characterised by traditional songs and dance by the school’s traditional group.