5-year scholarship for Reg. 9 NGSA top ten students

— Education and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministries honor top performers

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Thirteen (13) students of Region 9, Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo will, over the next five years, receive financial and other support from the government, through a Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs scholarship programme.

Among the beneficiaries are the region’s top ten performers at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Sydney Allicock made the announcement this morning during an award ceremony for the high flyers held at the Indigenous Conference Centre, Lethem.

The scholarship includes a monthly stipend, uniform and stationery allowances and accommodation for students who wish to attend the secondary schools in Georgetown.

With 515 marks, top student 11-year-old Alana Lewis has been awarded a place at the Bishops’ High School. The former Hiawa Primary School student is beyond elated, especially since she will be able to attend the coveted city school.

“I feel very happy and excited that I will be going to Georgetown. I studied late at night, I woke early in the morning and before I left for school I studied,” the budding author told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

In second place is the bubbly Kaderie DaSilva who will be attending the St Roses High School. She acquired 504 marks at the examination. DaSilva is thankful for the support she received from especially her mother during her Primary School years.

Aspiring pilot, Ethan Gursahai, indicated his expectation to have gained more than his 501 marks. Although he lost 33 minutes in one of his exams, he is still happy to have attained a place at the St Joseph’s High School.

“From Grade One, I focused on studying topics after topics. So after six years I was able to cover all and gained these marks,” he told DPI.

Minister Allicock told the students that their excellent performance this year is a testament to the investment in education by the government, especially in the hinterland regions.

Over the last four years, students’ performance in far-flung regions has taken a quantum leap, the minister noted. He recalled back in 2015 the overall pass rate in the hinterland regions was a mere 13 percent. Today, it has moved to 45%.

“In 2015, we were told that the communities of Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 were below the average. But today, you have made the change, you have done what we know you could do with the opportunities we provide,” Minister Allicock stated.

He reminded the students of His Excellency, President David Granger’s recent announcement of providing free education from nursery to university, and the positive impact it will have on each of Guyana’s citizens.

“It is the president’s greatest dream to have an ‘education nation’. Guyana boasts of having attained universal primary education. The president’s 2030 vision for education is for quality education and lifelong learning for all.”

The education ministry, he said, is currently focused on enhancing education at the secondary and university level. There are annual provisions for making those plans a reality especially across the hinterland regions.

“The hinterland has hidden, undiscovered education. You are going to discover that,” Minister Allicock noted.

Regional Education Officer (RedO), Keane Adams said the children are on the path of achieving great things. According to her, excelling at NGSA is only the beginning.

She said the region will continue to provide equal opportunities to all children so that they can be successful in life.

“Pay attention, work hard and give it your best shot,” she advised.

CATEGORIES
TAGS