Kinderdorf Bottrop Technical Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, last Saturday, held the 13th edition of their annual speech and prize giving ceremony held at the schools ground in Brikama.

The event is annually organised to award prizes to the best students who have excelled in their academic performances. The day also serves as a source of inspiration for other students who have performed below average to redouble their efforts.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Yvette Phillot, chairperson of the school's Board of governors described the occasion as a triumph in the history of the school, adding that Bottrop is a school of excellence.

Mrs Phillot congratulated the prize winners and urged other students to also work hard in the next academic year. According to her, it is indispensable to give maximum courage to students during their education carrier. She then called on all parents to priotise the welfare of their children by sending them to school, adding that The Gambia cannot adequately attain the Millennium Developemnt Goals of its people, if the young ones are not educated.

In his keynote address, Dr Kebba S. Bojang, the guest speaker of the ceremony and an alumnus of the school called on the students to close ranks for success. Mr Bojang described education as the key to success. He told the students that it does not matter where one studied, but instead the seriousness entailed is the most important thing.

"With focus, perseverance and determination, you can all achieve your prospective dreams," he observed. Mr Bojang then urged the students to throw away trivialities and take their education seriously and not to let failure dog them. He also advised the students to show maximum respect for their parents as well as teachers if they want to achieve their targeted ambitions.

Dr Bojang then called on parents to strengthen their endeavours and take good care of their children by having regular dialogues with them. He then thanked the management and staff of Bottrop for the trust and confidence shown him in inviting him as the guest speaker of the ceremony.

In presenting his annual report, principal of the school, Mr Momodou N Samateh, said this year's speech and prize giving ceremony was special and important.

Enrolment

Mr Samateh boasted that his school has taken the lead as a popular destination for students and parents, particularly in Western Region. He noted that the Upper Basic wing of the school has a total student population of 637, out of which 326 are boys and 311 girls.

In the senior secondary school, Mr Samateh said: "We have a total population of 676 students, out of which 469 are boys and 207 are girls". He emphasised that in the past years, the enrolment of girls continued to increase significantly both in the upper basic and the senior secondary schools. Mr Samateh attributed this substantial increase in girls' enrolment to the enormous support of the President's Empowerment of Girls Education Project (PEGEP).

Curriculum

Principal Samateh boasted about the progress made by his school over the years. He noted that his school offers a total of 23 subjects in various disciplines namely; Science, Technology, Arts and Home Economics. He said that Bottrop has over the years laid special emphasis on Science and Technology. "We strongly believe that Science and Technology is the way forward for sustainable development," he noted.

The ceremony was punctuated with a drama played by the school's drama club and Matida Komma, outgoing headgirl of the school delivered the vote of thanks.