Top marks for three SOS students in The Gambia
It is a feather in the cap of the SOS Children's Villages Lower/Upper Basic School, and everyone is excited! The school is one of the top three nationwide, according to the just-released Basic Education Certificate exam results. Three students from the school, among those with the best overall results, explain how they achieved such an extraordinary result. |
With an aggregate of 6 (grade 1 in each of his 6 subjects), 16-year-old Kitabu explains that his excellent performance in the exams came with a lot of effort. It was due to hard work, dedication to education, respect for authority, support from home, teachers and classmates. "It is never as easy as it seems. There is no magic in education. Hard work is the prerequisite for any meaningful success. I struggled very hard to get this grade. It was not easy, but I was determined to make a good grade, and I worked for it. Thank God I have got it", he says.
Having attended SOS Children's Villages School, except for the first part of primary school, Kitabu appreciates the quality of education offered, which has brought him to his present level. As he moves on to Senior Secondary School, he is even more determined and strives to be the best student not only in his science classes but in the whole school: "I will be happier if I set a new record in academic performance at the school."
Having attended SOS Children's Villages School, except for the first part of primary school, Kitabu appreciates the quality of education offered, which has brought him to his present level. As he moves on to Senior Secondary School, he is even more determined and strives to be the best student not only in his science classes but in the whole school: "I will be happier if I set a new record in academic performance at the school."
Tina (15) has always been among the top five in all exams. She shares Kitabu's belief that hard work is necessary for success. She explains how she put a lot of effort into her preparations, sacrificing some of her sleep to read ahead because she was convinced it would pay off, and it truly did. She commends the principal and teachers of the school for their friendliness, concern, and encouragement, as well as the good facilities (library, computer lab, home economics lab, etc.), all of which have been a boost to her studies and good performance.
Fatou's story is similar. The 15-year-old girl equally talks about hard work, sleepless nights, and even falling sick at one point while preparing for her exams. What helped her a lot was her parents' constant encouragement not to give up. On her results, she concludes, "I deserve it, I know I deserve it because I worked hard for it and I feel happy, very happy".
Fatou's story is similar. The 15-year-old girl equally talks about hard work, sleepless nights, and even falling sick at one point while preparing for her exams. What helped her a lot was her parents' constant encouragement not to give up. On her results, she concludes, "I deserve it, I know I deserve it because I worked hard for it and I feel happy, very happy".
Having come from a government school to join the SOS Children's Villages Upper Basic School, Fatou noticed a significant difference in the structure and setting. "In the 'SOS school', the classes are not overcrowded, so you can concentrate more. The teachers are determined and always help the students. They work hard and never stop admonishing students to read their books. Initially, I felt there was too much pressure, but now I appreciate what they were doing", she says.
All three students held leadership positions at school and were actively involved in activities such as the French club, the farmers' club, and intra- and inter-school quiz competitions, where they also performed well.
Kitabu and Fatou aspire to become medical doctors, whereas Tina is striving for a career as a bank manager.
All three students held leadership positions at school and were actively involved in activities such as the French club, the farmers' club, and intra- and inter-school quiz competitions, where they also performed well.
Kitabu and Fatou aspire to become medical doctors, whereas Tina is striving for a career as a bank manager.