Dear Editor,
Guyana’s CSEC and CAPE results indicate that some students did exceedingly well, with some work still to be done relative to certain key subjects. I salute our students for their tireless efforts in these early tests of their mettle, with a hearty word for the contributions of teachers and parents, and the invisible army of believers and backers who made these results possible. The Ministry of Education’s role is recognized, and as the analyses take shape, insights should come on how to build on what is present. At the Marian Academy, performances at the student level and vital subject areas soared and sparkled, leading to feelings of satisfaction and thanksgiving for another strong, if not superb, year of academic achievement.
Ms. Ajala Maharaj led the way at the CSEC level with 17 subjects passed and 10 Grade 1s. Ms. Semeerah Tularam recorded a near perfect sheet with 14 passes, and 13 Grade1s. Ms. Camita Perez-Sanabria was in scintillating form with 13 subjects passed and 13 Grade 1s. Round-ing off Marian Academy’s top five at the CSEC were Narendra Singh (13 subjects, 11 Grade1s) and Princess Bond (13 subjects, 10 Grade 1s). I think that the industry and aptitude of these five students speak of aiming for the heights, then reaching that glorious pinnacle. Anything I add, no matter how well articulated, risks diminishment of their achievements. Taken as a whole, it is a credit to their folks, their cast of educational assets, and the Marian Academy vaunted standard itself. But it was not only this outstanding top five cohort that did well. For the returns of subjects and the percentages tell their own inspiring story. It is a story of great effort and application, of countless hours and a bottomless reservoir of patience. For there were those others at Marian Academy who did not make the honour roll, bit who also held their own, did their part, and the numbers show it.
There were 100% passes in a staggering 16 subjects. Biology, English B (Litera-ture), Integrated Science, Physics, and two of three Business subjects all registered 100% passes. English A missed that perfect mark by a whisker at 98.7%, while Mathematics came in at a sound 84.94%, and Economics finished at 96.77%. By any measurement, it is obvious that the whole crowd of students did well. To give an idea of the size of the 2023-24 CSEC cohort, upwards of 70 students sat for a handful of subjects. Judging from the weight and expanse of sheer numbers alone, the Marian Academy and its students outdid themselves. It is gratifying.
At the more demanding CAPE tier, the trend continued at a slightly lower trajectory. The results were 100% passes in 21 subjects, including Applied Mathematics, Integrated Mathematics, Pure Mathema-tics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, among others. Ethon Brock (8 units), Kayla Persaud (6 units), Jayden Jagoo (5 units), Paul Bess (6 units), and Oma Devi Persaud (6 units) finished at the head of the group. A-Profile and Grade 1s accounted for over 66% of the results. It was a strong showing by this senior category of students, about to close out their class days at the Marian Academy. Once again, congratulations are in order to the partnership of students, parents, and teachers that made these encouraging results possible. As a quick aside, this year’s top CAPE performer out of Queen’s College, Ms. Aniyah Couchman, was a Marian Academy Common Entrance product. For whatever it is worth, a certain kind of student and citizen is being reared at Marian, with balance and perspectives emphasized. Those among these young minds that hold the teachings to heart, in time, are sure to occupy a special place in any society that they make their home. This country could use every single one of them that it can get from every corner of learning locally. We must learn to cultivate the best in them, hold onto to them, so that Guyana can be a place much different from what it is today. Again, great job, students, parents, and teachers. Let the same light of endeavour and enterprise shine in the long pathways ahead.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
