In Sierra Leone: Kolenten Student Wins ABC Secretariat’s Heart
19th June 2012 · 0 Comments
A cross section of Kolenten Students
By Momoja Lappia
A student of the senior section of the Kolenten Secondary School in Kambia, Mohammed H. Conteh has on Tuesday June 12th this year scooped a three year scholarship from the philanthropic bred Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat’s executives after correctly defining attitude and behaviour.
Mohammed H. Conteh who the Secretariat, which was in school to sensitize students on the importance of positive attitudes and behaviours to academic performances, branded as a good example for other students around the country to emulate maintained that he deserves to be encouraged and provided the requisite assistance to help him attain his full potential.
Responding to a common question the ABC Secretariat normally pose to students as to what are the meanings of attitudes and behaviours Mohammed was confident to correctly answer in the presence of the whole school that attitudes are innate while behaviours are the outward profession of these attitudes. He further stated that while attitudes and behaviours can be positive there are also instances where they could be negative. He cited truancy, late coming to school, violence and drug abuse among others as examples of bad behaviours professed by students while stating that abiding by the school’s dressing code, showing regard for teachers and doing homework as positive behaviours.
Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas talking to the Students
His succinct but accurate answer won the hearts of the Executive Director, National Coordinator and Program Manager of ABC Secretariat; Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas, Madam Nanette Thomas and Mr. Ishmael Cole respectively who dipped into their wallets and purse to provide Mohamed his tuition fee and lunch with a promise to the school’s authority that they will be footing his educational expenses till he finish his senior secondary school.
Mr. P.Y Bangura Principal of the School
The Principal of Kolenten Secondary School, Mr. Paul Yayah Bangura thanked the ABC Secretariat for manifesting true positive attitudes and behaviour by boosting education and called on other well meaning citizens to emulate the good example of Dr. Thomas, Madam Thomas and Mr. Ishmael Cole. According to Mr. Bangura although the standard of education is currently appalling, there are brilliant students like Mohammed around the country whose performances are undermined by lack of adequate supports.
Thanking his benefactors Mohammed promised to use the privilege for its intended purpose and encouraged the Secretariat to form an ABC Club in his school. He assured that with such a club, members would be able to serve as role models for others.
The Executive Director of ABC Secretariat, Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas decried the fall in academic performance of students across the country and called on the students to take their school work seriously. He blamed the poor performance of students on the prevalence of bad attitudes and behaviours and called for a serious rebranding of these manifestations. Dr. Thomas pleaded with the students to desist from violent activities especially during sporting activities and also advised them against making themselves available to politician to wreck political violence in the coming November 17th 2012 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections.
Mohamed Conteh and the National Coordinator, Nanette Thomas
Addressing the students the National Coordinator and Second-in-Command of the ABC Secretariat, Madam Nanette Thomas challenged the students that by putting up positive attitudes and behaviours in their school work the sky will be their limit as it is the only vehicle to upward mobility. She advised them to see themselves as ambassadors of the Kolenten Secondary School and they are supposed to always put up good morals more so when beyond the school’s presence. She warned them to improve on their reading habits and stop overusing time wasting activities.
Madam Thomas used the opportunity to warn male teachers against the sexual exploitation of the female students and implored on them to serve as role models instead. She concluded by enticing the female students to be more focused and determined as they have a role to play in future national developments.
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