YEKEPA, Nimba County — ArcelorMittal High School in Yekepa, Nimba County, has recorded a 100 percent pass rate in this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with all 41 candidates successfully passing the examination.
The achievement was celebrated Friday, October 16, during the school’s 19th graduation ceremony, where 41 senior high school students received their certificates at a colourful ceremony attended by education officials, school administrators, parents and representatives of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML).
The school, fully funded by the mining company, provides educational opportunities for children of hundreds of workers and other residents in and around the Yekepa concession area. It is regarded as one of Nimba County’s leading high schools, supported by qualified teachers and modern learning facilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nimba County Education Officer Francis Leagay praised the school for its performance, describing the 100 percent pass rate as a remarkable achievement that placed it among the county’s top-performing schools.
“Results of the WASSCE administered by the West African Examinations Council revealed a 100 percent pass rate for students of ArcelorMittal High School, a remarkable record that places the school at the top of all schools in Nimba County,” Leagay said.
He noted that the strong performance of ArcelorMittal High School and other schools had made graduation ceremonies possible this year, unlike the previous year, when widespread examination failures prevented similar celebrations.
Leagay attributed the achievement to the students’ discipline, commitment and dedication to their studies, adding that the results brought pride to both ArcelorMittal Liberia and Nimba County.
He urged the graduates not to become complacent after obtaining their high school diplomas, encouraging them to pursue tertiary education and remain committed to academic excellence.
The county education officer also commended AML management and the school administration for investing in quality education, while acknowledging parents and guardians for the moral and financial support they provided throughout the students’ academic journey.
Principal Credits Success to Quality Education
Presenting the graduates, ArcelorMittal High School Principal Juwle Kumeh dismissed any suggestion that the school’s outstanding performance resulted from improper practices, insisting that the achievement reflected hard work, institutional commitment and the effective use of available resources.
Kumeh credited the results to the dedication of teachers, AML management’s investment in education and the school’s focus on providing students with the resources needed to succeed.
He also challenged school administrators, education authorities and teachers to discourage the practice of charging what he described as “flexibility fees” and instead prioritize educational materials and resources that directly benefit students.
According to Kumeh, the school recruits qualified teachers with bachelor’s degrees in their respective subject areas, follows Liberia’s revised national curriculum and provides textbooks aligned with the WASSCE syllabus.
He said these measures help prepare students for national examinations while strengthening the quality of instruction and learning.
AML Announces School Renovations
Charlesetta Peters, Head of the Department of Social Services, also recognized the contribution of teachers, describing their role in shaping students’ academic performance and future prospects as central to the achievement being celebrated.
She said the graduates’ success reflected the combined efforts of the teachers, school administration, parents and the company.
Peters further disclosed that schools operated by ArcelorMittal Liberia would undergo full renovation and be furnished during the coming budget year, a move expected to improve the learning environment for students.
The announcement signals the company’s continued investment in education in communities surrounding its mining operations.
Located in Yekepa, ArcelorMittal High School is part of the company’s education support system, which provides schooling for children of employees and residents in the concession area.
The 41 graduates’ performance marks a significant milestone for the institution and highlights the role that sustained investment in qualified teachers, relevant learning materials and school infrastructure can play in improving educational outcomes.