At least two hundred and thirty-two (232) students have successfully graduated from Charles Jaw Memorial Academy after completing their three-year high school educational journey on Saturday, 6th July 2024.
The graduation ceremony, hosted at the school grounds at Bundungka Kunda, was characterized by speeches delivered by officials and the presentation of certificates to the most deserving students.
Speaking at the event, Essa Sowe, Chairman of the Board of Directors (BoD) of the school, emphasized the commitment to empowering students with the requisite skills, knowledge, and support needed to turn the dreams of the school into realities, adding that this mission is the natural contract the school has with the nation base on its existence to serving the Gambian population.
According to him, the chairman of the Board of Governors, through the intervention of the MRC Holland Foundation, has successfully overseen the completion of the constitution of twelve classroom buildings. He noted that once this edifice is inaugurated, it will significantly enhance the school’s learning environment while providing the students with the space and resources needed to strive in their educational journeys.
He highlighted that similar efforts are on course to build more classrooms in the school, with the aim of addressing the persistent space challenges that have existed for more than a decade.
He reported that the management has also embarked on a series of reform measures, including the appointment of a new principal, to boost the students’ performance and put the school on the right footing.
Principal Kebba Tamba underscored that the school’s goal is to transform the students’ dreams into achievable goals, hinting that the graduation ceremony is meant to celebrate the achievements of the students who have worked tirelessly with resilience and unwavering commitment to their education.
“Graduates, you have met the challenges of your academic journey and exceeded our expectations. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this milestone. We are incredibly proud of you for your work and the struggle you have done so far,” Kebba Tamba, Principal of Charles Jaw Memorial Academy, extolled to students.
The newly appointed Principal reaffirmed his commitment to continue the good work of his predecessor, Commissioner Aji Sukay Secka Sanyang, to propel the school to a higher height. He noted that the focus of his administration will be on creating a conducive environment that will enable the nurture and enhancement of students to attain their full potential.
According to him, inadequate accommodation and furniture for conducting examinations remain the administration’s biggest challenge. He cites the late payment of the School Improvement Grant and the high cost of electricity as continuing to affect and strain the school’s budget.
He commended the Kanifing Municipal Council for constructing a modern assembly hall nearing completion. He also disclosed that the school continues to perform exceptionally well, as attested by the students’ results in both GaBECE and WAEC.
Speaking on the theme “Turning Dreams into Realities,” Fatoumata Cham, a guest speaker who doubled as an ex-student of the school, told graduates that the Charles Jaw Memorial Academy perfectly depicts the theme of the occasion, observing that the school provides the platform to set the dreams through the building of friendships and unlocking of individual strength to get to the promised land.
She reminded the graduates of the realities that await them after graduation, saying that they are not as rosy as expected but even challenging. She stressed that graduates must be ready to confront these realities by turning the challenges into opportunities through hard work and dedication.
She further encouraged the graduates to be innovative and exploit the opportunities that surface on their path. He advised them to be compassionate and helpful, resist material temptations, and confidently accomplish unique accomplishments.
Other speakers at the school included the Deputy Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Binta Janneh Jallow, Madam Mariama Chaw, MoBSE, and Momodou Sowe, a member of the Parents Teachers Association.
