OUAGADOUGOU – In a remarkable recognition of bravery and commitment to education, two gendarmes, Chief Warrant Officer Issé Kaboré and Quartermaster Kayaba Sawadogo, were exceptionally decorated on Friday for their vital role in supervising students in the insecure region of Toéni, Boucle du Mouhoun.
According to Burkina Information Agency, who spoke during the Day of Academic Excellence in Ouagadougou, the duo took on the roles of educators in addition to their duties as officers to prevent local children from potentially joining terrorist groups. This initiative was particularly critical as the absence of regular teachers due to security concerns could have left the students without guidance.
The two officers, members of the Rapid Action Surveillance and Intervention Group (GARSI) of Toéni, went beyond their call of duty by teaching the primary education certificate examination class of 2024, leading all nine students to successfully obtain their diplomas. Kaboré expressed hope that among these students, leaders such as a president or minister might emerge, reflecting on the broader impact of their intervention.
The ceremony, presided over by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Head of State, also acknowledged the best teachers and students with various awards. Notably, the top teachers, Basolma Bayili from primary school and Pierre Tiendrebéogo from post-primary school, received villas and a sum of 5 million FCFA each, highlighting the government’s commitment to rewarding educational excellence.