Baku: Hundreds of people gathered at Bukalo on Friday for the annual Zambezi secondary education awards ceremony that recognized several regional teachers, learners, and schools for their hard work. They received trophies, medals, and certificates in different categories - platinum, gold, silver, and bronze.According to Namibia Press Agency, the event was held under the theme, 'Together towards excellence: Building schools for a better tomorrow.' Eighteen best performing Grade 11 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary level (NSSCO) learners were awarded gold medals and certificates. Equally, ten best performing teachers in Grade 11 were awarded trophies, certificates, and gold medals. Six teachers for Grade 12 received platinum (100 per cent) awards among other awards at the ceremony.The best overall Grade 11 learner trophy went to Happy Tebuho of Kizito College. The overall best NSSCO principal trophy was awarded to Albert Simataa Simasiku of Kizito College, whereas the overall best Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary level (NSSCAS) principal award trophy was awarded to Betty Mbile Silumbu of Sanjo Senior Secondary School. The overall best senior education officer (SEO) trophy was given to Agnes Neseho Nchindo in the Silozi subject.Sanjo Senior Secondary School, the hosts, scooped the most improved NSSCO school trophy, while Sangwali SSS walked away with the most improved NSSCAS school trophy. Kizito College scooped the overall best school trophy for NSSCO, while Sanjo SSS took the overall best school in the NSSCAS category. The most improved circuit trophy was awarded to Cincimani circuit, while the best circuit trophy went to Bukalo.Retired former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Alfred Ilukena, graced the occasion as the guest keynote motivational speaker. Ilukena stressed that awards are crucial in reflecting on a journey and to review efforts to see if set out goals were achieved. He said awards celebrate excellence, with deserving schools, teachers, and l earners rewarded and recognized. 'You turned meetings into learning space and plans into actions,' he applauded all achievers. Additionally, Ilukena said: 'May these awards remind us that when leadership is instructional and learners are intentional, performance becomes excellent...'Regional Education Director, Alex Sikume, urged all schools to do even better, as hosting of the rotational annual event depends on the performance of the schools, teachers, and learners.