Three teen residents of the St John’s Bosco Orphanage who decided not to allow life’s challenges to limit them, are celebrating their performances at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.
Junior Dookharan, Steve Kumar and Orin Smith, in an interview with Stabroek News on Wednesday, also ascribed their success to the support they received from teachers at Chase Academy and Sisters at the orphanage, especially Sister Julie Matthews. The St John’s Bosco Orphanage is located at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara
Despite challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and transitioning from different school environments to Chase Academy at the height of preparing for their examinations, the resilient teenagers said they were committed to achieving academic excellence.
Kumar, 16, an aspiring environmental scientist, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he received and elation at passing his exams. He said many times he felt like giving up but his self-determination, discipline and support from his teachers at the academy enabled him to complete his race to success.
Kumar wrote 11 subjects and gained Grade Two passes in Biology, Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM), English A and B, Human and Social Biology, Integrated Science, and Physical Education. He earned Grade Three passes in Mathematics, Physics, Principles of Business and Social Studies and a Grade Five in Spanish.
According to Kumar his first career choice was to become a fisherman but following his great experience in the science stream, he eventually developed a proclivity for the environment.
He will be pursuing studies at Marian Academy to prepare for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams (CAPE) and is determined to do even better.
Though he is set on pursuing a career in the field of environmental science, Kumar will also explore other options. He also loves Sports and Art.
Meanwhile, Smith, who aspires to become an attorney, related that he had unfortunately dropped out of school due to unforeseen circumstances. This setback, however, did not prevent the 18-year-old from successfully completing a course in electrical installation at Mercy Wings before re-entering secondary school.
Smith obtained a Grade One pass in Physical Education; Grade Two passes in Human and Social Biology, English A, and Integrated Science; Grade Three passes in Biology, EDPM, Mathematics, Principles of Business and Social Studies and a Grade Four in Chemistry.
He told Stabroek News that he, Kumar and Dookharan, whom he referred to as his brothers, engaged in “self-studying”. He added that they all conditioned their minds to believe that they had to excel. “Despite the challenges we told ourselves that we have to study together and pass together…”, he said.
He is gratified at his achievements and hopes to pursue studies in law at the University of Guyana soon.
Dookharan, 17, explained that transitioning from three schools during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted studies for him and his brothers, Smith and Kumar.
Recounting moments of self-doubt and trepidation, Dookharan said several teachers encouraged him and his brothers, urging them to not use the situation as an excuse to not do well. “At times I used to doubt myself but the encouragement from teachers and Sisters at the orphanage made me recognize that I can do better no matter the position that I am in,” he said.
He recalled that he was also worried about whether they would fit into the new school environment at Chase Academy, but luckily teachers and students made them feel like family.
Dookharan wrote nine subjects and attained a Grade One pass in Physical Education; Grade Two passes in EDPM, Human and Social Biology, and Integrated Science; Grade Three passes in Biology, and Principles of Business; and Grade Four passes in Mathematics and Social Studies.
According to him, after hearing that CSEC results were out, some level of nervousness took over, but after seeing his results he was satisfied.
The teenagers also thanked the Principal of Chase Academy Henry Chase and teacher Dr Jamain Hatton for playing an integral role in their academic journey.
Chase said that when the trio first arrived at his institution, he was concerned about whether teachers and students would treat them differently considering their circumstances. That was not the case and even more favourably, their school fees were reduced and they received free lessons, Chase noted.
He expressed elation at their results, which he said would act as an encouragement for students who might be facing similar circumstances. “I am so happy to see that despite the challenges they faced they were able to do so well. I told them this is just the beginning as education is one major element in escaping poverty,” the educator posited.
Though adamant that the young men could have done much better considering their known academic abilities, Hatton said he was also happy that they had done quite a fantastic job. The medical doctor, who is also a teacher at Chase Academy, said: “When I say I know they could have done better, it is purely because I have seen them at their best… the exam, I would say, wasn’t their best day. Yes, they have done well but I am saying they could have produced all Grade Ones. But in retrospect, looking back at where they came from, they have excelled beyond people’s imagination and I am happy for them.
“I am very proud of them and it just goes to show our dreams can all become reality if we have the courage to go after them. And sometimes all it takes is to have one person to believe in you and the rest is history. I am happy that I am one who believed in them.” (Antonio Dey)
