Salma Majeed, of the ISA Islamic Academy, emerged the top performer out of the 16,811 students who sat this year’s National Grade Six Assessment, with Christian Pyle of Mae’s Primary School coming a close second.
Majeed, 11, who scored 548 marks out of a possible total score of 560, said that she prepared for the exams by studying late at night, “but not too late to blow my brain.” She said she also took extra lessons at the Al Ghazali Islamic Academy. The shy Majeed credits her success to her parents, siblings, teachers and fellow students.
“I am just happy and overwhelmed right now,” Majeed said.
Asked what her strongest subjects were, she said Social Studies and sometimes Science.
Her mother, who was present at the school, said she was shocked when she heard the news. “I am speechless because I didn’t really expect this. I knew she used to do good long now. She used to try her best… I am so happy and I must give praise to Allah,” she said.
Undecided about a career, Majeed says she is thinking about entering the field of medicine. She hopes that one day she can be one of the persons to bring change to Guyana. She added that she really wanted to do really well and that she was glad that all her hard work paid off.
Christian Pyle, Mae’s Under 12
Pyle was brimming with excitement at learning that he was the second top performer with 547 marks. He said he was extremely grateful to God, his parents, his Grade six teacher, Sir Shawn and teachers Anita, Cindy and Veronica. Pyle stated that he studied hard and he knows he deserved his results. An aspiring astronomer, he said he always wanted to attend the Queen’s College (QC) and was happy that he his dream came true. He said his strongest subject was Social Studies.
Navindra Persaud, Mae’s Under 12
Holding the third spot in the country was Persaud, who gained 545 marks. Excited about being in the top ten performers in Guyana, Persaud said that he studied really hard with the help of his teachers and parents. “I am extremely grateful to God, my teachers and parents who helped me a lot,” he said, while noting that he knew he was going to be in the top ten even before the results were released. Persaud said he intends to pursue a career in medicine.
Ashtmi Natasha Deo, Mae’s Under 12
Deo scored 543 marks at the examination and said that although she was happy to be in the top ten, she still felt a little sad. In tears, Deo said she was glad for herself and her fellow colleagues. She noted that her family, teachers and friends have always supported her throughout school, and especially the exams period. Deo said she was a bit sad because it tore some people’s hearts that she did not emerge the top performer. She added that preparing for the exams was kind of hard as there were a lot of papers to complete. “… but I pulled through with the encouragement of my friends and family,” Deo said. While she initially wanted to be a doctor, she said that her love for music has made her want to become a musician.
Bradon Chanderban, Mae’s Under 12
Chanderban secured 542 marks, which was enough to place him sixth in the country. “Happy and excited,” was how Chanderban said he felt when this newspaper spoke with him at his school. He said he thinks he could have done a little better but he was still proud of his achievement.
Zane Ramotar, Mae’s Under 12
An exuberant Ramotar said that he was happy that his hard work had paid off. “I feel really happy and excited,” Ramotar said.
He said that he did not take any extra lessons, but worked on a lot of past papers. Ramotar, who said he wants to be a pilot, credited his success to his hard work and dedication and also his Grade Six teacher, Sir Shawn.
Leshanna Bindah, Stella Maris Primary
Bindah tearfully said she was happy to have placed in the top ten and that she had to study a lot. Bindah, who wants to become a doctor, encouraged students who would be writing the exams next year to study a lot and put dedication into their efforts since it will pay off in the end. Her favourite subject, she said, was Mathematics, while her weakest area was Social Studies.
Divya Jagroo, Graham’s Hall Primary
Jagroo, 11, was described by teachers as a “positive child” and when this newspaper spoke with her at her home, she could not stop laughing. She said when she heard the news, she “was surprised but kind of expected it.” Jagroo said that during her exam preparations she was forced to “give up watching television and had to study late, concentrate on school work and attend school and lessons everyday.” The aspiring doctor attributed her success to her teacher, Miss Etwaru, parents and family who supported her.
Renee Bisnauth, Cropper Primary School
Not only is she among the top ten students, but Bisnauth also captured the title of Berbice’s top student. Her 540 marks placed her at ninth in the country.
Yesterday Bisnauth told Stabroek News that she is extremely happy with her performance though a bit disappointed, since she had aimed to be among the top five students. The overjoyed but humble student said she learnt of her success through a teacher who checked online and informed her. “I did not believe at first but then I heard some teachers talking and I felt really, really happy,” she said.
Bisnauth said she began intense studying a month prior to the exams. Her routine was to get up around 5.30 am and push in an hour of study then head off to school. After school, she would attend lessons and at home at night she would do past papers with the help of her father.
Bisnauth credits her achievement to her God, parents, teachers and dedicated her success to her Headmaster Leroy King.
While she has secured a place at QC, her father said he did not think she would attend a school in Georgetown. He said behaviour, attitude and health come before education and noted that Berbice has schools with quality education. Both of her parents expressed joy at the performance of their last daughter. Last year, Bisnauth’s sister, Reba Bisnauth, was among the top five performers in Region 6 at the NGSA.
Bisnauth gained spotlight, when she won the GT&T National Spelling Bee Championship. She went on to the Caribbean level, where she placed fourth.
Maitri Vathada, Leonora Primary School
This 12-year-old aspiring astronomer was all smiles when this newspaper caught up with her at her school on the West Demerara, shortly after she received the good news about her performance. Vathada gained 539 marks to place twelfth in the country and was awarded a place at her dream school, Queen’s College.
She could not contain her smile as she spoke of how happy she was with her result, which is the fruit of her studying. Vathada said she liked the exams, while adding that she did not put too much pressure on herself as she was preparing to write it. Her advice to others who are preparing for the exams next year is to “study hard and you can do well.”
Sean Bhajan, Academy of Excellence
Bhajan said he felt great upon hearing that he had placed 13th in the country. He said that he expected to do well because he is a good student who always excelled. This 11-year-old West Demerara resident described the exam as being easy with the exception of part of the English paper which was a bit challenging. He scored 538 marks.
In order to be successful, Bhajan said that he had to basically give up everything entertaining such as his television time. This future computer engineer said that his advice to other students is to study hard and put all their effort into it.
Aarti Hooblall, Valmiki Vidyalaya Primary
Hooblall, 11, was very surprised to learn that she had scored 538 marks and was placed thirteenth in the country. When Stabroek News caught up with the soft-spoken aspiring lawyer, she said she “did not expect to do so well.”
Hooblall said her success came with many sacrifices, including ceasing television watching, less use of the computer and turning down going out.
The Annandale resident expressed gratitude to her teachers, especially Sir Haimanchal, her parents and grandmother. Hooblall did not attend extra lessons. She urged those following her next year, to “study hard and keep focused and make no mistakes.”
Yonathan Camacho, Winfer Gardens Primary
Aspiring scientist Yonathan Camacho is also on his way to Queen’s College, having also gained 538 marks and also placing thirteenth overall. Coming in for high praise were his parents, family, friends, teachers and all others who played an instrumental role in his success. To students writing the examination in the future, Yonathan advised: “focus, do not be afraid and study what was taught at school.”
Mikayla De Freitas, Josel Education Institute
The good news of her outstanding performance was given by this newspaper to an elated 12-year-old De Freitas, who was beaming with smiles. The soft-spoken little lady said that even though the examinations were somewhat challenging, she worked hard towards doing well.
The aspiring paediatric oncologist said that making sacrifices were a major part of her success. She studied late at nights and refrained from watching television.
To students who will be writing the examinations next year, the QC-bound Mikayla who shared the thirteenth position in the country with 538 marks, encouraged discipline and dedicated studies. Mikayla who was promised a trip to Disney Land if she got QC said she hoped her parents would fulfill their end of the bargain now.
Narindra Samlall, ABC Academy
Eleven-year-old Samlall was surrounded by happy family members who were sharing in his joy when Stabroek News caught up with him. He described his feeling as ecstatic.
With 537 marks, Narindra is also on his way to the school of his dreams: QC.
The young man said that while he is not yet quite sure what profession he wants to be in just yet, he intends to succeed in academics.
He said he found the entire examination “easy,” crediting his success to God, his teachers, parents, grandmother and singled out his grandfather who has taken him to school every day since he was in nursery. “I studied for hours, sometimes until 1am,” he said. Joyfully, he said he is now holding his mother to her promise of purchasing him a laptop for his success.
Gary Ross, St Gabriel’s Primary
In a telephone interview with Stabroek News, 11-year-old Ross revealed that while the examinations were challenging, especially the Social Studies paper one, he nonetheless knew he would have performed well since he had studied very hard.
With 536 marks, the aspiring pilot is on his way to QC. He credited his success to God, his teachers and the school’s Headmistress. He also singled out his Stella Maris Nursery school teachers for giving him the foundation to progress; his parents and grandparent for the strength and courage to succeed.
Keenan Persaud, Marian Academy
When Stabroek News caught up with a visibly shy Persaud at his school yesterday, he expressed his astonishment at his success.
The 11-year-old told this paper that his success was met with much sacrifice, including giving up tennis. The aspiring marine biologist said he devoted his time to a lot of class work and lessons.
Persaud expressed gratitude to all teachers, especially Mr Gonsalves and Teacher Revon who guided him through the years, and also to his mother “and most of all God.”
The Kitty resident advises upcoming students to “give up what you like and after [passing the exam] it will be worth it.”
Persaud is uncertain whether he will be attending QC when the new school term commences.
Deviyani Mahadeo, Academy of Excellence
Eleven-year-old Deviyani Mahadeo, who gained 536 marks, shared the 28th place position with six other students but she said that she felt good with her performance. She said that her lack of play time and hard work in preparation for the exams resulted in her performance. She also said that she would like to become a lawyer.
Jamicka Rutherford, Watooka Primary School
For this well-spoken 11-year-old, who holds fast to the notion that “the sky is the limit,” the news of her success was unexpected.
Jamicka Rutherford, who was overjoyed, secured the top spot for Region 10. She gained 535 marks and placed 34th in the country.
The Mackenzie resident accredits her success to the assistance and endurance of her mother and teachers, Miss Rhonda Rose and Miss Charis Joseph of Watooka Primary School. She said extra lessons, which took up most of her weekends and afternoons, also played a role in her success.
The aspiring crime scene investigator says she had to give up playing video games and watching her favourite TV show, CSI.
Rutherford will be attending QC when the new school year commences.
(Reporting by Tifaine Rutherford, Femi Harris, Shakisa Harvey, Mandy Thompson and David Pappanah)
