Region Six’s top performing students at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), are all aspiring to great heights.
Raphael Omarao, from the Skeldon Primary, secured the region’s top spot with a score of 518. He told Sunday Stabroek that he felt “honoured and blessed” by the achievement.
Omarao, who is from Line Path ‘C’, Skeldon, noted that he placed a lot of focus on his studies in preparation for the NGSA and he hopes to become a mechanical engineer so as to be able to “build stuff and to do complex things.”
He advised students who are set to write the assessment next year to stay focused and not overthink the questions.
The region’s second best performing student is Sarah Mannu, of the Cum-berland Primary School, located in East Canje, Berbice, who scored 517.
Mannu could not contain her excitement when this newspaper spoke with her as she stressed that she was still in a state of shock. The 11-year-old noted that she tried to put in extra studying as she had hoped to be among her school’s top students.
Inspired by her father, she aspires to one day become a lawyer since she wants to “defend the innocent.”
She said, “It’s not nice to see innocent people get bad treatment or go to jail or go to prison like that, so it would be better to defend them.”
Her father, Mannu, a labourer who builds furniture, stressed that the family is seemingly more excited than her, while noting that it is important for parents to believe in their children and support their dreams.
He explained that while studying prior to the assessment his daughter told him of her intention of topping her primary school and he gave her his full support, he did at one point question whether it would have been possible. He then stressed, that his daughter’s success now proves that parents should believe strongly in their children’s dreams and aspirations.
Notably, Mannu comes from the classroom of Salima Jahoor, one of the teachers attached to the Cumberland Primary School, who almost every year produces the top student at the school.
Miya Hari, from the New Market Primary School, who scored 516 and secured the third spot in the region, explained that like others she too placed a lot of emphasis on studying.
Hari, who is from Crabwood Creek, Upper Corentyne, noted, that she hopes to one day become a scientist so as to be able to develop cures for “new diseases.”
She admitted that to some degree she was inspired by the impact of the COVID-19 virus as she saw the need and importance of scientists.
Vishun Basdeo, from the Rose Hall Estate Primary scored 513 to take fourth place in the region. Basdeo, from Adelphi Village, East Canje Berbice, did not study too much for the assessments.
He recalled that his mother would often encourage him to revise his school work but he had felt he had an understanding of what was taught to him so he opted not to as his love for his electronic devices overtook him every time he tried to study.
Despite this, the confident young man, who hopes to one day become a doctor, stressed that although he knew he would score high he never anticipated that he would have topped his school.
He also thanked his teachers especially Banmattie Arjune, who his mother said came home several days a week so as to assist him with essay writing since that was one of the areas where he struggled.
Meanwhile, securing the region’s fifth spot with a tied score of 512 were Jada Dhanpat, from the Skeldon Primary School, Rihanna Lewis, from Port Mourant Primary, and Maranda Adams, from the All Saints Primary.
Dhanpat said was extremely proud of herself for gaining a spot in the region’s top ten. According to her, she stayed up studying long hours and with the help from her teachers and family who played an enormous role she was successful at the assessment.
Lewis, who aspires to become either a scientist or businesswoman, stressed, that she expected to score high since it addition to her always being a top performer she studied until midnight on most nights and attended both online and face to face learning.
The students all had varying opinions as it relates to them being forced to move to online classes due to COVID-19. While some said that it was more helpful as they had a lot more time to clearly understand the work being taught, others said that they found it to be more distracting having to be at home in class.
Meanwhile, Anamarie Sukhra from the Cropper Primary, Charita Jaggernauth from the Tain Primary, Ciel Clement from the All Saints Primary and Jameir Grant from the St Aloysius Primary tied for the region’s sixth spot, with each gaining a score of 511.
Sukhra said she faced some challenges with online learning due to the internet but powered through as she always hoped to secure a top spot.
The young lady advised students to always listen to their teachers and be serious about their academics
A very well spoken Jaggernauth said when the Minister of Education Priya Manickchand called her name during yesterday’s announcement, she and her parents immediately started to jump in excitement in their house.
She explained that she did not give up her electronics or leisure time but rather “kept an equal balance on everything.”
Jaggernauth, who said she hopes her high school life well assist her in deciding on a career path, advised students that “as much as you like playing and doing other stuff, keep a balance.”
She also thanked her grandmother, who is a former Grade Six teacher, her mother, who is a former teacher, and her father for their collective support, stressing, that they remained a unit throughout her studies.
The young lady also noted that she would have encountered some difficulties fully grasping some of the topics being taught but the trio stepped in and further explained the work whenever necessary.
Meanwhile, Clements aspires to one day become a lawyer like her mother, Tanya Warren Clements.
The young woman said her mother created a timetable for her to study and she followed it religiously while preparing for the assessments.
Clements said online learning gave her more of an opportunity to be “independent” with her studying, which helped her a lot.
Meanwhile, Adams and Grant, both of New Amsterdam, stressed that they too also placed a lot of emphasis on revising their work. Adams also thanked the Ministry of Education for providing her with text books as she stressed that she “took full advantage.”
