The First- Ever Graduation in Selam Pre School-Ethiopia
By Sr. Dorothy Odundo, FSSA
The first-ever graduation ceremony in Selam Pre- School was on June 21, 2019 (The international calendar), when Ethiopia marked the end of its academic year in the country. The school which is located in the Southern part of Ethiopia, Agereselam town, and which borders Sidamo and Oromo communities, was started by the Comboni Missionary Sisters ten year ago. The school was aimed to prepare baby class and lower kindergarten children for smooth transition to upper kindergarten in other schools.
Pupils pose for photo
The Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna (FSSA) took over the school from the Comboni Missionary Sisters in January 2018 (International calendar) with Sr. Anne Eunice as the head-teacher assisted by Sr. Mary Vianney. The excellent performance in the school encouraged the parents and the school committee to consider adding a class for the upper kindergarten which took effect from this year 2019.
Speaking during the ceremony, the guest of honor Mr. Didamo Dira, a teacher from Dongora Catholic School expressed the distinctiveness of the children from Selam Pre-School which can easily be identified by the discipline and respect demonstrated by the children. Echoing other speakers, the guest of honor pointed out the need to upgrade the school to grade one, two and three in preparation for a full primary school in the future.
On her part, the head-teacher Sr. Anne Eunice thanked the parents and the committee members for their support and commitment to school activities throughout the year which resulted to the success of the day. She further clarified that financial constraints and government requirements may not allow for quick upgrading of the school though the idea would be considered for the future.
As the first graduation in the school, it brought together parents, teachers, representative from the education office, board members and the school sponsors. The
graduation is as an eye opener to the school administration to improve on the next graduation which is anticipated to take place next coming year in the school compound.
Leave a Reply