It was with her eyes set on securing scholarships to study overseas that this year’s unofficial top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student Fatima Karim sat 20 subjects at this year’s examinations.
Karim’s ambition, which led to her securing 19 Grade Ones and a Grade Two, is part of a trend which has seen students sitting an increasing number of subjects in an attempt to guarantee themselves funding for their post-secondary education.
Karim herself has admitted that her motivation was to either secure the University of West Indies Scholarship offered to Best Overall CSEC Performer, the one offered to the Best Performing Science Student or the Presidential Scholarship being offered to the Best Performing Guyanese CSEC Student.
With Karim and other students following the example of Victoria Najab, Elisa Hamilton, Zimeena Rasheed and other students across the region who compete for these scholarships, questions have been raised about whether this is the best way for students to pursue their dreams.