Sierra Leone: WAEC Awards Best BECE and NPSE Candidates
By AlusineSesay
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 awarded 12 deserving candidates for their outstanding performances in the 2015 and 2016National Primary School Certificate (NPSE) examinations and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Twelve supervisors and examiners who have exhibited excellence and long service in the conduct and maintenance of standards of examinations were also recognized.
The national awards ceremony, which was organized by the Freetown Section of the Research Department of WAEC in Freetown, attracted students, teachers, parents and education stakeholders in the country.
The awardees receive cash prizes, certificates and dictionaries.
Head of National Office of WAEC, Mr. A. Kamara,said the presentation of awards to deserving candidates will serve as motivation to them to continue to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits.
He said that 16 years have elapsed since a candidate from Sierra Leone won the WAEC Excellence Awards. He urged candidates to work harder in their academic pursuits so that they will be recipients of the Excellence Awards. He said that the awards ceremony is a moment of celebration, as they are celebrating the achievements and hard work of candidates, examiners and supervisors. He added that the awardees are now part of people that have form the history of WAEC. He commended the candidates, teacher and parents for their hard work and support to the candidates.
In his keynote address, the Head of the Tertiary Education in the Ministry of Education, Mr.NabieuKarama, said WAEC has succeeded in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility by assisting in the development of sound education, ensuring that educational standards are maintained, and giving the people of West Africa a vision of the great potentials which lie beyond examinations.
He noted that WAEC is the foremost examination body in the region.
He maintained that in achieving quality education in Sierra Leone,one has to ensure that the teaching force is of maximum efficiency.
Mr.Kamara noted that WAEC has put strategies in place to combat examination irregularities. He commended the awardees for their hard work. He admonished them to continue to work harder in their academic pursuit.
A member of the Endowment Fund, Dr. Victor E. A. Kabia, said the awards are the innovation of WAEC since the establishment of the Fund in 1982. He also said the Board is administered by 12 members from member countries. He disclosed that apart from the awards, the fund has also sponsored lectures since 1996, as well as quiz competitions, educational research and the inclusion of Information and communication technology in the work of WAEC, among others. He said WAEC will continue to do well and award students who do well in examinations.
Acting Head of Freetown Section of the Research Department of WAEC, Mr. Abdul Momoh, said the awards are part fulfillment of WAEC’s mission of encouraging academic and moral excellence among school children.
The Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs A.O.Johnson, said WAEC is an examination body which is mandated to conduct credible examinations. She said the WAEC annual awards ceremony is an event to recognize candidates, examiners and supervisors who deserve to be honoured.
The Chairperson of the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, Mrs. Ophelia Morrison, admonished the awardees to continue to work hard and maintain such achievements.
The best 2015 NPSE candidates include Kadijatu Jalloh, who won the best overall candidate award with an aggregate of 362; Ekorede Egunjobi, won the second best overall candidate award with an aggregate 355, and Joan Kaetu-Smith won the third best overall candidate with aggregate 354.
The best 2016 NPSC candidates, include Binta Bah and Ibrahim Alpha Wurie, who won best overall candidates with an aggregate of 358 each; and M’mah Zombo, won the third best overall candidate with aggregate 356.
For the 2015 BECE, Maya Hassan Mroue, a female, won best overall candidate; Martha T. Tondoneh won the second best overall candidate, and Samuel Sullay Kamara won the third best overall candidate.
For the 2016 BECE, Gideon Miracle Johnson won best overall candidate; Eugenia M.A.E. Rogers won the second best overall candidate, and Claris Foboi Tuthelma won the third best overall candidate.
Ten examiners and supervisors also received awards.
