By Anyam Yvette
Pupils from various primary schools across the the Northwest Region today assembled at designated centres for the practical phase of the First School Leaving Certificate and Common Entrance Examinations.
At GMI Complex, which now accommodates both primary and secondary sections, the turnout was remarkable. The centre hosted over 1,500 candidates drawn from more than 50 schools. Many arrived in convoys of school buses, public transport vehicles and others in goods only transport vehicles and under tight supervision of teacher. The increasing number of candidates for these exams observers say signals a gradual return to normalcy in the region.
The Director of the GMI Complex, Mr. Njeti Simon Akalambi, underscored the importance of the exercise, noting that the practical component accounts for 30 percent of the overall examination marks.
He explained that the session is conducted under strict directives from the Minister of Basic Education, Professor Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, and is designed to equip pupils with essential hands-on skills.
According to the Director of the Complex, “The first school leaving and common entrance examinations are exams that children write when they complete Primary six which leads them to the secondary .It is very important because it helps the pupils equip themselves with hands-on skills that can help them later on in life fetch some money even if they don’t get white Collar jobs.
After leaving here today they will use this skills back at home to help their parents and even as a source of income in the future,” he said.
Teachers present at the centre expressed pride in the creativity displayed by the pupils. Mr. Calvin of Royal Heir Academy highlighted the diversity of projects, including mats, chairs, flower jars, and even a locally assembled radio by one of his pupils that drew significant attention.
“It’s clear that not all children will follow the same academic path, but with these practical skills, they have a foundation to build on, with this handwork I believe the children will always recall what their teachers thought them and start from there. The Activities continue until we write our First school leaving examinations he noted”.
Madam Bih, a Teacher From GS Alankii responding to the question on how long it takes to train the kids for this she says “”Looking at the curriculum of basic education, children begin Arts and craft from Nursery 1 right up to Primary Six where they finally become able to make so many things with their hands .
Secondly,The children have a lot in them it’s just for the teachers to drill them and bring out their hidden potentials .From my experience with them I can say they have the ideas all they need is direction even from parents back at home.Right now if some of them don’t have the means to further their education,I bet you they will make money out there and feed themselves .My advice to parents is to send their children to school as Education this days is not all about reading and writing but skill acquisition as well
The pupils themselves shared their excitement following the exercise. Vidian from Word of Faith Complex proudly showcased beads she made, explaining their decorative and commercial value.”i made beats for the Practicals .Beats help to beautify people and also for decoration I can use the beats and I can also sell them.Some of my friends made flowers cards ,others made brooms and chairs,I am happy today”
Similarly, Daniel Nathan from Faith Bilingual School displayed a broom he crafted, expressing confidence in its usefulness both at home and as a potential source of income.
“Today I made brooms, I will use the broom to sweep our compound and I can even sell it and use the money to buy more”
Despite the hardship faced by some households in the crisis Affected Northwest and Southwest,Parents were called upon to leave no child behind in the persuit of Education with emphasis layed on Primary school education being the Foundation where great leaders are groomed.
