DEC School Mahera makes history
The District Educational Council Primary School has made history as an institution where the girl-child has performed more in academic work than the boys in their grades, in examinations as well as in class performance and output.
Located in the educationally marginalized Kafu-Bullom Chiefdom in Port Loko District, the DEC Primary School, through the hard work of the teachers and headed by the able Administrator and Headmaster Mr. Alimamy Okonkwo Kamara has made great strides in creating an enabling environment for the kids in that part of the country.
Although the school might be regarded as having a provincial outlook, a lot of great Sierra Leoneans started their schooling here. The school was established on the 17th of April 1947 in Mahera Town, headquarters of Kafu-Bullom chiefdom in an effort to accomplish the then Colonial administrations educational policy under the District Council Education system.
The school has gone through successful administrators since its establishment and these administrators and educators have been credited with great achievements. Prominent educationists that have served the school as headmaster include Mr. M.K. Sesay, Mr. Khan and Madam J.E. Macauley who was the headmistress before handing over to Mr. Alimamy Okonkwo Kamara, the present headmaster, who is not only an alumni of the school but is also a son of the soil.
Currently, the school has made a name as one of the leading institutions of learning that has contributed in the education of the children. Under the present headmaster, the school continues to make strides and has even been commended nationally as an example of an efficiently maintained institution.
Since he took over the administration of the school as headmaster, Mr. Alimamy Kamara has been successful in all spheres, including academic performance, sports and discipline and the teacher parent relationship as well as other extra-curricular activities and engagements.
The school has also performed exceedingly well in external examinations. This performance was initiated under Mr. Alimamy Okonkwo Kamara, who over the past five years has ensured that the school comes first in both internal as well as national examinations.
In the past NPSE National Primary School Examination results for 2007-2008, the school scored 100% with the girls dominating the scores.
Also in the 2008-2009 NPSE exams, the school again produced another successful result, with the pupils coming out with flying colours headed by the girls.
In an interview with Mr. Alimamy Okonkwo Kamara, he revealed that the school won an award for the best results for 2007-2008 as one of the schools with the best results in the District.
The award resulted in UNICEF Sierra Leone, providing support meant for the girl child in the school. This UNICEF award includes books, learning materials and cash prizes as a way of motivating them to learn.
The school authorities, under the management of Mr. Kamara and the schools Committee of Management caters for the basic needs in terms of education by way of providing well trained and qualified teachers, a well stocked and up to date library and the provision of furniture and other teaching aids.
The school operates a feeding programme coordinated by the World Food Programme Sub-Office in Port Loko. The school also maintains a Mother’s Club Organisation sponsored by UNICEF. Mr. Alimamy Kamara has also won accolades for his leadership qualities as he was unanimously elected Vice Chairman of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, Kaffu Bullom, Loko-Masama Branch.
As a seasoned administrator, he has been able to make the work of the SLTU under his branch one of the most praised. Speaking to Sierra Express Media, Pa Sesay, an elder in the community said he admires the headmaster’s courage and passion for work and efficiency as well as his love for his profession.
Apart from his academic work, Mr. Kamara also plays an active role in the community as he serves as the secretary general of the Kafu Bullom Youth Coalition.
As a man in his early forties, Mr. Alimamy Okonkwo Kamara has gained respect in the community, including traditional authorities, his elders, as well as his colleagues in the profession through his interpersonal approach. He is soft spoken, polite but hard in taking decisions, that is why he is a perfect disciplinarian and leader, said Mr. Alie Bangura, a trader who says he has three children in the school.
For now, as a result of the schools development, plans are underway for the opening of a Junior Secondary School next academic year. This is being done through the cooperation of the schools Old Pupils Association, the School Management Committee, and the general parent body.
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