Top 15 National Grade Six Assessment Students awarded
DPI, GUYANA, Monday, August 14, 2017
Smalta and Ansa Mcal in partnership with the Ministry of Education on Monday awarded the top 15 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) students, in a ceremony held at the National Center for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).
The students were presented with cash vouchers from Smalta, Ansa Mcal and book certificates from Austin’s Book store.
Minister Nicolette Henry (Center) and some of the top NGSA performers pose with their awards along with Ansa Mcal members.
Minister of Education(ag), Nicolette Henry, applauded the awardees stating that while the 2017 results showed great improvement when compared to 2016 results, there is still room for improvement across the country, especially in the hinterland regions.
“This year’s Grade Six Assessment results are very encouraging and we have seen an increased number of passes achieving over 50 percent countrywide in the examinations. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement and there is a lot of work to be done across the country, more particularly in our hinterland regions”.
The Minister in her address expressed gratitude to the parents and teachers across the country for their hard work and dedication. She also charged the students to continue to be promoters of education as they pass on their knowledge toothers.
“I ask that you be an advocate for education, that you pass on your knowledge to your friends or to someone you know that is struggling, and that you also pass on your passion for being the best, and you pass on a passion for education.”
Robert Hiscock, Marketing Manager of Beverage Division, Ansa Mcal extended congratulations to the students while stating that the company is not only celebrating the top students, but it is celebrating Education within Guyana. Hiscock advised the students to work hard and have fun at the same time.
“Today marks the beginning of a new journey for all of you here, and embarking on this new journey is daunting, but I implore that each and every one of you embrace it as an opportunity that can lead to endless possibilities. Yes, high school will be filled with new challenges and balancing those challenges will be the biggest challenge of them all. However, one of the best pieces of advice I can offer is to work hard, but have fun while you do it.”
Sean Abel, Brand Coordinator, Ansa Mcal noted the Smalta Brand recognises the challenges parents face, hence the initiative of the annual bursary awards for the top students. He stated that while the Smalta Bursary awards is in its pilot stage, the company is aware that the students in the hinterland areas are not often recognised for their success; as a result the Smalta Brand hopes to expand its bursary awards programme for students scoring favorably in the NGSA examinations, next year.
By: Crystal Stoll