The Kono District Diamond Dealers Association in collaboration with Koidu Holdings and Well Group of companies past Friday donated Le40 million (forty million Leones) and school materials to 400 pupils who have successfully gone through their Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE).
The contribution is to revive education in the Kono District as most children have turned their attention towards mining instead of education.
Delivering the keynote address, Prince Kai Saquee Chairman of Diamond Dealers’ Association in Kono, stated that when he was first elected as Chairman of the Association in 2004, in collaboration with Koidu Holdings S.A Limited they awarded scholarships to two hundred pupils including a year’s tuition fees and other schooling materials. He added that after four academic years exercise, four hundred pupils who have gone through their BECE exams all over Kono District will receive their various packages in honour of their excellence.
The package includes 10 ledgers, one year school fees which is Le 90,000 (ninety thousand Leones) one mathematical set and Le10,000(ten thousand) for their lunch.
This was not done as a show of wealth, but to encourage the suffering children of less privileged families who have done well in the BECE and are ready and willing to proceed with their education,” he said.
He maintained that he appreciated the effort of President Koroma in instituting the zero tolerance on corruption, lawlessness and even impunity otherwise known as “PAO-PA”. Mr. Saquee also admonished the beneficiaries that the requirement for this year’s award is obviously nothing more than excellence, adding that tremendous effort must be taken in each element of their work.
Mrs. F.S Mustapha, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources stated that scholarship can be on Health as this one concentrates on education which is very paramount in any nation’s development as the country is presently trying to boost girls’ education.
“I want all of you to appreciate this little effort of Diamond Dealers and Koidu Holdings for this donation,” she added.
According to P.C. Fasuluku, Chairman of Paramount Chiefs the grade for the award is from aggregate 29 below, adding that the pupils should consider themselves as lucky to receive the award.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr. Hadiru Kalokoh stated that parents should encourage their children to go to
school as they are the future leaders of this nation. He added that the children should concentrate on education rather than mining. “I hope you will not disappoint the donors as they are ready to do more if only you continue to perform in your education,” he pointed out.
By Alhaji M. Kamara