Top WASSCE Student for 2023/2024 Academic Year…Areej Zahid Emerges

The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is one of the most challenging academic assessments across West Africa, and this year, Areej Zahid of Naiahacom Elementary and High School has made history with her remarkable performance.
Areej has emerged as the best student for the 2023/2024 academic year, showcasing exceptional talent, discipline, and academic excellence. With an impressive score of 6 As and 2 Bs, Areej Zahid has demonstrated mastery in a range of challenging subjects.
Her outstanding achievement has placed her at the pinnacle of academic success, not just within her school but across the country. Her performance is a testament to her hard work, the quality of education at Naiahacom Elementary and High School, and the support of her teachers and family.
A Breakdown of Areej Zahid’s Exceptional Results
Areej’s results are nothing short of extraordinary. She secured A1 grades in the following subjects:
⦁ Further Mathematics
⦁ General Mathematics
⦁ Biology
⦁ Chemistry
⦁ Core Science
⦁ Engineering Science
These subjects are known for their complexity, particularly in the sciences and advanced mathematics, making Areej’s accomplishment even more remarkable. Additionally, she scored B3 in Physics and English Language, rounding out her academic excellence in subjects that demand both analytical and linguistic skills.
Her performance across these diverse subjects highlights her well-rounded academic abilities, positioning her as a role model for other students aspiring to achieve academic excellence.
Recognizing Academic Excellence
Areej’s remarkable success has not gone unnoticed. Her achievement is expected to be formally recognized by the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders within the educational community.
Such recognition is a significant milestone not only for Areej but also for Naiahacom Elementary and High School, which has continually provided quality education and fostered a conducive learning environment.
Her results are a reflection of the high educational standards being maintained at her school, and her success is an indication of the potential for academic excellence that exists among students in the country. It is anticipated that this will inspire other students to strive for similar success in their academic pursuits.

The Importance of Academic Achievements in National Development
Areej Zahid’s accomplishment serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in education. It underscores how academic excellence can have a ripple effect on a nation’s development.
As students like Areej excel in challenging disciplines like the sciences, and mathematics, they open doors to future innovations and advancements in critical fields such as technology, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Areej’s success is not only personal but also a contribution to the broader goal of national development. It sets a benchmark for others to follow and highlights the importance of prioritizing education, particularly in subjects that will drive progress in the 21st century.
A Bright Future Ahead
With her extraordinary academic performance, Areej Zahid is well-positioned for a future filled with opportunities. Whether she chooses to pursue higher education in the sciences, engineering, or any other field, her WASSCE results have laid a solid foundation for her future endeavors.
Her determination, dedication, and intellectual curiosity will undoubtedly take her far in her academic and professional journey. Areej Zahid’s emergence as the best WASSCE student for the 2023/2024 academic year is a remarkable achievement that will inspire students across the region.
Her success reflects the importance of hard work, quality education, and the role that schools like Naiahcom Elementary and High School play in nurturing the talents of young students. As we celebrate her achievements, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this bright and promising student.

AIM-SL opens primary school & Skills Training centre at Rothumba Village
By Saidu Dumbuya
In a major stride towards eliminating harmful traditional practices, especially Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM-SL) marked another milestone in Sierra Leone.
On Saturday, 5th October, 2024, AIM-SL handed over a newly constructed primary school and skills training center to the people of Rothumba Village, Koya Chiefdom, Port Loko District. This initiative, supported by BMZ and Pfefferminz Green from Germany, underscores AIM-SL’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of women and girls through education and empowerment.
The Director of AIM-SL, Rugiatu Neneh Turay and a tireless advocate for women’s rights, expressed her gratitude to the stakeholders of Rothumba for their collaborative efforts in completing the project. She emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader effort to combat the dangers faced by women and girls, particularly in remote communities where harmful practices like FGM are prioritized over education.
“What my organization and our sponsors aim to do is identify communities in need and work with local leaders to address their challenges,” Turay explained. “We don’t impose projects; we build based on the community’s expressed needs. Education is a life-changing tool, and our goal is to ensure that women and girls can access it rather than being subjected to harmful traditions.”
Turay’s message was clear: the prioritization of education over harmful practices like FGM is critical for community development. She called on women to refrain from subjecting their daughters to practices that can have devastating consequences, including unnecessary deaths.
“FGM respects no age and has lasting, excruciating impacts,” Turay stressed. “Stop selling your daughters and women to ‘Soweis.’ Instead, invest in their education—it will not only change their lives but also the future of the entire community.”
Turay also discussed her organization’s work to modernize traditional practices through the concept of “bloodless bondo,” which preserves cultural heritage while eliminating FGM. She affirmed that the organization’s goal is not to eradicate the bondo society but to reform it in a way that respects women’s rights and protects their health.
Stella Rethenburger, the head of Pfefferminz Green and one of the sponsors of the project, spoke of her long-standing partnership with AIM-SL. Since 2016, Rethenburger and her organization have worked closely with Turay to implement projects that respond to the real needs of communities. She highlighted that the new school and training center at Rothumba is only the beginning of a broader effort to uplift vulnerable communities across Sierra Leone.
“We are committed to supporting AIM-SL’s mission to improve the lives of women and girls through education and skills training. These projects are transformative, and we urge the community to safeguard them for future generations,” Rethenburger stated.