Momodou
M. Bah, a student of Charles Fowlis Senior Secondary School, has become the
school’s first student to record 9 credits out of 9 subjects in the West
African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Bah,
a candidate of May/June 2016, made history by registering 5Bs, and 4Cs under
Principal Nd’ela Carr’s first year in charge of the school.
Another student, Lagamy Gumaneh, secured 8
credits out of 9 subjects with 1A, 5Bs, 2Cs, 1 E and one pass.
Speaking
in an interview with The Point, Momodou Bah expressed delight at his
achievement, saying he had months of sleepless nights studying hard.
He said being the school’s first student to
register such success means a lot to him and he would, therefore, advise other
students to study hard as it is the only secret behind passing exams well.
He
pointed out that principal Carr’s tireless efforts at encouraging and
supporting them to ensure they succeed, adding that she had made a lot of
positive changes since she became principal of the school.
“At times, Mrs Carr will even come into the
class to teach us,” he explained.
Lagamy
Gumaneh, who got 8 credits, said he was grateful to the Almighty Allah for
giving him 8 credits, even though he intended to score better.
He observed that female students are doing
well, but he and his fellow boys took top positions.
He,
therefore, advised them to focus on their education, and leave other issues
that would distract them from studying enough.
Gumaneh
also pointed out that Mrs Carr contributed to their success, because she always
encourages students to put education at the apex of their scale of preferences,
and as such they are grateful to her.
He
urged students to focus on both religion (God) and education, saying
personally, he believes without God it would be difficult for one to succeed.
Principal
Nd’ela Carr, for her part, said she believes if students are to do well, they
should be encouraged.
She
said she knows that students need encouragement, adding that as such from the
first time she came to the school (September 2015) she started boosting their
morale, by telling them that everything about learning depends on their
determination, because the teachers were willing to work.
Mrs
Carr stated that her staff and the school board would always remind and
encourage the students, of the importance of taking their education seriously.
She
said the two students who took top positions have made the school their choice,
despite other offers from other schools.
These
students spent tireless nights reading, comparing notes and even going out to
get teachers, she said.
Teachers
also spend extra time helping students who are willing to learn, she said.
She
described the attitude of the two students as “exemplary”.
Mrs
Carr, who has been in the education system for the greater part of her life,
noted that experience does go a long way, but one has got to meet different
kinds of people in different places.
Carr
worked for 13 years in Mingdaw Senior Secondary School in Farato, and said she
does her part in motivating, encouraging and helping those determined to work,
and the Almighty God has also been on her side and has rewarded them for their
hard work and labour.
They expected the two students to be a focus
and be a source of inspiration for the coming Grade 12 students, so they would
understand that if they work along the same path they would get the same
results or even better, she said.
Succeeding
depends on the individual, on how he/she sees things and what he wants out of
life, she added.
She
also highlighted the role of parents, saying, “It is their duty to show keener
interest in their children’s educational welfare.”
She further shared her views on this year’s
general results, saying she thinks the reason for some of the poor results
across the country is because some students “are not very much interested,
misreading of questions, over-confidence and laziness”.
Which
is why she has decided to work more on her students, to help them go the extra
mile in their studies and educational pursuits, she added.