ABC Secretariat storms Waterloo schools in Sierra Leone
In continuation of its month long post-elections campaign, the Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat has stormed three secondary school in the western rural district and successfully transmitted civic education messages on citizenship, democracy, good governance and political tolerance. (Photo: Executive Director Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas lecturing the Kankaylay Islamic Secondary School Students on the importance of three arms of government)
The three schools visited on Tuesday 29th January 2013 are the Rural Academy Secondary School, Barrack Obama Change School and Kankaylay Islamic Secondary School.
In his presentations, Executive Director of the ABC Secretariat, Dr. Ivan Ajibola Sylvanus Thomas took his time to explain to the pupils about the importance of the three arms of government.
He said good governance is a process of decision making and implementation. According to him, the decisions of individuals and institutions determine the future.
He gave the pupils all the reasons to justify that human beings cannot do without education. “Education positively transforms an individual,” he emphasized, while urging the pupils to be disciplined at all times. He encouraged the pupils to join the fold of development and progress, noting that all they need is perseverance and endurance.
He noted that there are several challenges in the academic struggle. That notwithstanding, he continued, the determination to move forward is all the pupils need.
National Coordinator and Second-in-Command lecturing the Rural Academy Secondary School students against lawlessness and violence
On her part, National Coordinator cum Second-in-Command of the ABC Secretariat, Madam Nanette Beatrice Effulabi Thomas argued that poverty is no excuse for one to drop out of school or engage in unacceptable activities. She also advised the pupils against lawlessness and violence. “In fact, violence is a major threat to good governance,” she emphasized. She encouraged the pupils to always listen to their parents and teachers, while urging them to take an oath to make their books their best friends. “When you are educated, the world will chase you,” she disclosed.
Madam Thomas furthered advised the pupils to be tolerant in all they do. According to her, everybody should realize that Sierra Leone is bigger than any other interest.
The pupils, she said, should not abuse their freedom of expression. “Always endeavor to express yourselves in decent and civilize ways,” she said, while encouraging the pupils to always uphold and defend the national constitution.
She called on the teachers to endeavor to enlighten the pupils on the provisions of the national constitution.
She advised the teachers to desist from acts considered to be professional misconduct, while citing the act of exchanging grades for sex or money as lawless and unprofessional.
Programme Manager Mr. Ishmeal Cole lecturing the Barrack Obama Change School students on the importance of education
In his brief presentations, ABC Program Manager, Ishmael Cole, told the pupils that education is the key to success. He described as pathetic the fact that the education of several female pupils is halted at BECE level. “BECE should not be the terminus of the girl child education,” he said, while advising the pupils to stay loyal to their educational pursuit. He encouraged the pupils to serve as change agents and role models by always aiming for success. He also preached against violence in schools.
Courtesy of ABC Communications Office
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2013, https:. All rights reserved.
