Dear Editor,
Congratulations to Fatima Karim on what can only be described as an enormous achievement. Twenty CSEC subjects! I am certain that this, by any measure, is not an easy feat. I managed eight subjects with average grades after many sleepless nights, so I could only imagine what this exacted on her. There are debates regionally and locally about the relevance of students doing so many subjects, as Fatima has done, when just a few are necessary for admission to the University of Guyana, for instance. It’s the same question, in essence, asked of people who climb Mount Everest. Why? It could only be understood, perhaps, by those who have conquered summits. Likewise, we can ask why five gold medals did not satisfy Michael Phelps, or fifteen. Why is Usain Bolt, in his own words, “thirsty” for more? Why wasn’t the innovator Steve Jobs content just building regular products, but instead aimed for a fusion of the best technology mingled with art? It’s because of that ‘thing’.
I mention Steve Jobs because his life is such an inspiration to me. He encouraged us: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” There is always a need to push ourselves further, higher, to be the best. If students achieve four or five CSEC subjects, that’s great, as long as they are satisfied that they have done their best. I would hazard a guess that there is immeasurable satisfaction for her in knowing she has climbed that most difficult of mountains, breathed that rarest of air, stood at the pinnacle where few stood in the realm of the best of the best.
Why isn’t Ruel Johnson content with one book and a Guyana Prize? Why isn’t Kojo McPherson satisfied with one short film? Why isn’t Jackie Hanover content with just seven songs? Why wasn’t UG’s Sachin Ramsuran satisfied with 10 As but needed to go on to achieve over 30 and become valedictorian? Because they ‘can’. Just like Fatima. Our country needs the best. Our country needs young people just like her who push themselves hard, who set very high standards for themselves and deliver. If you’re a pump attendant, be the best you can be! If you’re a typist clerk, doctor or teacher, be ‘your’ best! That is the only thing we require of you.
And, Fatima has done well, she and our other CSEC students. Their best. In the Olympics that is CSEC they have brought home the ‘gold’ and we’re all very, very proud of them.
Yours faithfully,
Sherod Avery Duncan
Deputy Mayor
Municipality of Georgetown
