By Fatou Krubally
Members of the Bottrop Ex-Students Association (BESA) on Saturday convened their Annual General Meeting (AGM) to review past achievements, address challenges, and outline future development plans for Bottrop School.
The meeting, presided over by BESA President Lamin Darboe, focused largely on mobilising resources for the rehabilitation of the school’s access road, which serves students, school buses, and residents of the surrounding community.
Darboe said the association’s immediate priority was to ensure accountability to members while advancing projects that improve the learning environment.
“The rehabilitation of this road is critical not only for the school but also for the wider community that relies on it daily,” he said.
As part of fundraising efforts, the association organised a lunch and sold branded items, including T-shirts and coffee mugs, with proceeds earmarked for the road project.
The AGM also featured mentorship sessions during which alumni shared experiences and offered guidance to current students, encouraging academic excellence and skills development.
BESA has, over the years, implemented several initiatives at the school, including environmental cleansing exercises, tree planting, provision of dustbins, organisation of speech and prize-giving ceremonies, and support for school excursions.
Plans outlined at the meeting include refurbishing the school library and main hall, strengthening sports development, improving water and sanitation facilities, and enhancing the overall school environment.
Darboe stressed that the development of the school requires collective effort from all stakeholders, including alumni, parents, teachers, and the community.
The meeting also resulted in the election of a new Social Secretary to strengthen the association’s executive structure. Members expressed satisfaction with the turnout and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting their alma mater.
