Abuja: The community of Zoula, located in the commune of R©o, marked the 7th edition of the Day of School Excellence at the Saint-Th©otime Catholic Primary School, where 250 students and teachers were recognized for their achievements on Saturday, July 25.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this year's celebration was themed "Promoting academic excellence in the face of the lure of gold mining: challenges and prospects for the sustainable development of Zoula." The event aimed to reward students, teachers, and schools that excelled in both primary and secondary education.
Xavier Bayala, representing the president of the special delegation of the commune of R©o and the ceremony's patron, emphasized the importance of education despite the financial allure of gold panning. He highlighted that education is crucial for building a prosperous and sustainable society and urged parents and educational stakeholders to prioritize schooling for children.
The ceremony commenced with a minute of silence to honor the memory of the Defense and Security Forces, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland, and the late German teacher and censor of the Sainte-Th©r¨se de Zoula high school, who passed away on July 23, 2026.
Dr. ZelbiBassol©, the chairman of the organizing committee and a lecturer at Norbert Zongo University, stated that the objective is to use gold panning to finance education. He stressed that while gold might deplete, knowledge is enduring. He applauded the exceptional performance of the 2025-2026 school year, noting the achievements of Zoula examination boards in the R©o Basic Education District and Sanguiprovince.
A total of 250 students were honored, with 146 from primary schools and 104 from post-primary and secondary schools. The best teacher, KaboubiChantal Ido, who achieved a 100% success rate at Nedialpoun B public primary school, was awarded a motorcycle and a letter of congratulations.
AimBado, a bank executive and alumnus of Zoula, spoke on behalf of the sponsors, encouraging the awardees to persist in their educational endeavors. He reiterated the commitment of Zoula's community members to support academic excellence.
The event was attended by Pema N©ya, the representative of the Presidency of Faso to the Nando region, along with various administrative, educational, customary, and religious authorities.