By: Yunus S. Saliu
Kaur Senior Secondary School (KSSS) over the weekend held its annual Speech and Prize-Giving Day Ceremony, celebrating academic excellence.
The event also marked bidding farewell to more than 100 Grade 12 students who recently completed the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The ceremony, held on Saturday at the school grounds in Kaur, Central River Region, brought together education officials, academics, community leaders, security personnel, alumni, parents, students and other guests.
In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the KSSS Governing Board Hassoum Ceesay described the event as a celebration of achievement and excellence, while commending the school’s management, teachers and support staff for their commitment to improving education standards.
Ceesay also paid tribute to the guest speaker, Professor Cherno Omar Barry, whom he described as an accomplished scholar, author and mentor whose contributions to education and literature continue to inspire Gambians.
Delivering the keynote address, Regional Education Director for Region Five North, Saikou Dibba, highlighted the importance of discipline in schools, describing it as a foundation for academic success, responsible citizenship and national development.
“School discipline provides a safe and conducive environment for effective teaching and learning,” Dibba said, adding that it helps students develop strong character, become self-reliant and remain focused on their goals.
He called on parents, teachers, school administrators and communities to work together in promoting discipline among students, noting that character building begins both at home and in schools.
For his part, Professor Cherno Omar Barry urged graduating students to prioritize character development and personal responsibility as they prepare for life beyond the classroom.
“This is not the end of the road. It is only a milestone,” Professor Barry told the students, stressing that success depends not only on knowledge but also on integrity and good character.
Drawing on the “Broken Windows Theory”, he warned that societal decline often begins with small acts of neglect and indiscipline. He encouraged students to avoid dishonesty, disrespect, academic misconduct and negative peer influence.
“Character in the end is destiny,” he said, adding that patriotism is demonstrated through doing what is right even when no one is watching.
Presenting the school’s annual report, Principal Jeng Sey said KSSS recorded significant progress during the 2025/2026 academic year, including a 21 percent increase in student enrolment over the past two years.
He said the school continues to offer programmes in Humanities, Business Studies, Science, Agriculture and Home Science, while preparing to introduce a Technical Stream covering subjects such as Woodwork, Metalwork and Technical Drawing.
According to the principal, the school achieved a 71 percent credit pass rate in the 2025 WASSCE examinations, with outstanding performances in the Science Department, including 100 percent credit passes in Physics and Chemistry and 98 percent in Biology.
“These results demonstrate our commitment to academic excellence despite the challenges faced by a rural school,” Sey said.
Beyond academics, KSSS also excelled in extracurricular activities, emerging regional champions in athletics and qualifying 26 athletes for national competitions. The school also secured first place at the regional stage of the Fanta Science and Mathematics Quiz.
The principal acknowledged the contributions of the Ex-Students Association, Board of Governors, development partners and community members for supporting the school through scholarships, educational materials, infrastructure assistance and student awards.
The ceremony also recognised students who excelled in academics, sports, discipline, leadership and other areas.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Mustapha Cham, President of the KSSS Ex-Students Association, and Omar Njie, President of the Class of 1998, who both commended the school’s progress and pledged continued support for quality education in Kaur.
The event ended with the presentation of awards and certificates to deserving students, alongside donations to support the school’s development.
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