The 1st phase of the EIMA examination session was organised between 18 - 20 May 2016 in Dakar, Senegal. It was attended by 17 pupils from 9 African countries (Senegal, Mali, Niger, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Cameroon, Togo and South Africa), and there was also a female candidate from Botswana.
In accordance with the training programme, after working for two months on the fundamentals, the pupils acquired the basic knowledge allowing them to master simple actions for lessons given and received.
The complete cycle, covering all three weapons, took place over 4.5 months, under the supervision of the school’s four training masters, Mr. Julien Ouedraogo (Burkina-Faso), coordinator; Mr. John Kamate (DR Congo), in charge of the sabre; Mr. Baytir Sidy Diop (Senegal), the epee; and Mr. Aguenam Aklesso (Togo), the foil.
The examinations took place over three full days (18 May for the foil examination, 19 May for the sabre, and 20 May for the epee).
Assessment of the examination included the lessons given and lessons received, for each pupil. After every lesson, the members of the jury shared their remarks and gave a score for each candidate. Before each lesson, the pupils submitted their practical lessons to the jury on paper, describing the content and objectives of the lesson. All lessons given and received were recorded on video.
The main purpose of this assessment was to make the pupils aware of the work and the knowledge acquired up to this point. Marks are provisional, and students must work even harder over the next few months in order to improve them.
The assessment of the 1st phase examinations went well; the pupils received their marks for the three weapons, and will continue to work over the next four months.
The final examinations will be held at the end of November 2016.
Jie Ao
Deputy Sport Director