The President International Award (PIA) last Friday awarded Silver and Bronze medals to 48 students from Bakau and Glory Baptist Upper Basic Schools, during a ceremony at the Bakau Upper Basic School ground.

Speaking at the occasion, Basin Ceesay, centre manager at PIA, described the event as historic in the annals of PIA, noting that the award has transformed the lives of millions of young people around the world by imparting on them marketable skills.

Mrs Ceesay stressed the need for attitudinal change among young people and implored the awardees to take their education seriously to become responsible leaders in future.

Abubacarr Jobe, who deputised for the education director of Region 1, said the National Education Policy has developed extra-curricular activities to enhance quality education and human development.

Mr Jobe said the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education have divided the country into clusters to monitor the school curriculum, teaching observations and related activities. He then urged students to be hard-working.

Bakary B Darboe, former councillor for Bakau New Town, said the award programme stressed the importance of the programme, saying that it enables young people to realise their potentials and carry out their responsibilities towards building a better society.

"The president has placed young people at the top of his priorities. This is why the President International Award has transformed into a multi-purpose centre allowing young people to realise their aspirations and dreams, in order to contribute meaningfully in the socio-economic development of the country," he stated.