First Lady Madam Chantal BIYA presided over a boisterous closing ceremony at “Les Coccinelles”, the primary school in Unity Palace on Friday 28 June 2013. The ceremony was equally attended by the Minister of Basic Education, Madam YOUSSOUF née ADJIDJA ALIM the Assistant Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Seraphin Magloire FOUDA, the Assistant Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic, Joseph LE and the Minister of Youth and Civic Education, BIDOUNG MPKAT.

 The school children made several presentations to the public at the ceremony, including songs, recitations, ballet and traditional dances. Things went into frenzy when they were joined by popular music stars, notably EKEG’S, Richard AMOUGOU and the TOOFAN group from Côte d’Ivoire. In her usual spirit, Madam Chantal BIYA frequently joined them in the dancing, to the greater delight and joy of the public.

The ceremony was also an occasion to hand out gifts to all the pupils who had done exceptionally well in promotion and end of year examinations, scoring 100% success in all the classes. The First Lady and other high dignitaries took turns to reward them with parcels that had been prepared for the occasion. Former pupils of the school were not left out as the generosity of the First Lady was extended to all the children who were present. As the children sang goodbye to Madam Chantal BIYA at the end of the ceremony, everyone was well pleased with the occasion which had gone on perfectly despite the heavy rain that fell throughout the whole day.