Ouagadougou: The Provincial Directorate of Secondary Education and Vocational and Technical Training (DPESFPT) of Sandbondtenga awarded a certificate of recognition to Samuel Sawadogo, the head of the Basic Education District (CEB) of Pensa, for his commitment to revitalizing secondary education in the commune. This recognition was given during the Day of Academic Excellence held on July 12, 2026, in Kaya, amidst significant security challenges faced by the region.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Hamad Tinto, the provincial director of Secondary Education, Vocational and Technical Training, emphasized the exemplary collaboration between primary and secondary education levels in Pensa. This cooperation has ensured educational continuity despite the difficult context. Tinto noted the absence of boundaries between secondary and primary education in Sandbondtenga, leading to a joint strategy to revitalize the Pensa General Education College (CEG).

Hamad Tinto highlighted, "The CCEB came to my office and we discussed how to get secondary education up and running again in this municipality. Thanks to this joint work, the school functioned properly, both primary and secondary, until the end of the year." He attributed the tangible results to the solidarity and perfect collaboration between educational stakeholders, which justified the official presentation of the certificate of recognition.

Receiving the award from Barkebila Sawadogo, provincial director of Preschool, Primary, and Non-Formal Education, Samuel Sawadogo recounted that secondary education had nearly vanished in Pensa since the 2019 security crisis. He expressed his commitment to supporting secondary education despite numerous challenges, such as the lack of teaching materials, school supplies, and classrooms. Sawadogo emphasized the importance of education, stating, "Personally, I told myself that education must not stop in the face of these difficulties."

To support the school, Sawadogo implemented measures like the school canteen to promote student retention and boost teacher morale. He highlighted the importance of resilience, particularly for internally displaced people in the commune who "also really need education." Sawadogo expressed gratitude for the recognition, viewing it as an invitation to strengthen collaboration among education stakeholders, particularly in areas with high security challenges, to ensure the continuity of learning from primary to secondary education.