​The Child Reintegration Centre has long encouraged Senior Secondary graduate students to take the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) required for college acceptance.  Although the government and the institutions responsible for public examination have been working hard to improve the examination process, the WASSCE is becoming increasingly difficult for students to pass.   

The CRC recently held a meeting with the Senior Secondary students to review the education policy and encourage students who don't do well on the WASSCE to consider attending technical or vocational institutions, so they can learn or skill or trade that will enable them to enter the workforce and become self-sufficient.   "I am encouraging you all who were unable to get their requirements to college to also consider the option of going to a vocational institution, since there are lots of successful Sierra Leoneans who are vocationally trained and qualified," CRC Director Olivia Fonnie told the students. 

The CRC is supporting many students who pursue alternatives to a four year university degree.   CRC student Seinya gratefully accepted a Promise Scholarship to pursue an accounting certificate.  "I thank God and the CRC for their support in my life.  I promise to do my best in my studies to uphold the standard of CRC and contribute to national development in Sierra Leone," she said.

Fifty-four Child Reintegration Centre students were awarded special honors for doing extremely well in their academic work for the 2019-2020 academic year.  The CRC gives awards for academic excellence to encourage the students to maintain high standards, and to remind the parents to keep monitoring their children's progress.  The ceremony was incorporated into the annual Christmas party and attended by the children's parents. 

Two Senior Secondary students were recognized for high achievement on the WASSCE college entrance exam, 29 primary grade children received awards for high NPSE scores, and 23 children were recognized for class promotions.
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Education Manager Mabel Mustapha awarded the prizes and certificates to the high achievers.  "My children, I am giving you these gifts and awards to motivate you to do more and make us proud.  I assure you that we will continue to support you," she said.   The beneficiaries each received a length of beautiful African "lappa" cloth.  

“It has been my determination to grab an award at the CRC very year during their award events," CRC student Ansumana Farma-Bempa said.  "I will continue to do my best in the university so has to make the organization proud of me. Thank you all for your support, especially the staff and management of CRC and my family. May God bless us all.” 

Ansumana and Hassan Koroma were the only two students to score 6 credits on the difficult West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), earning both students a Promise Scholarship to attend university.  Ansumana will attend Fourah Bay College to pursue an Engineering degree (also the alma mater of CRC alumnus Abdulai Sumaila), and Hassan will attend Canadian College of Modern Technology to pursue a degree in Computer Technology.  

“I am really happy for my child for making it to the university and receiving an award. I will personally relay this good news to the rest of the family in the village, immediate members  and the school. Without the support of CRC this will not have happened to my son," CRC parent Mary exclaimed.

The following students were recognized for academic excellence.