NGSA results are out…Islamic Academy, Mae’s Under-12 top national list

Jun 08, 2013 News

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With varying career aspirations, pupils from primary schools across the country are now preparing to engage their secondary education. Amounting to close to 17,000, the pupils were entered into the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) which was conducted on March 25 and March 26, 2013.
These performers, according to the Minister, had previously participated in the National Grade Two Assessment in 2009 and the National Grade Four Assessment in 2011. A percentage of the two Assessments were combined with the NGSA in order to determine the candidates’ overall scores, said the Minister.
She explained that five per cent of each candidate’s Grade Two Score in Mathematics and English and 10 per cent of the Grade Four score in the same subjects were added to 85 per cent of each candidates score in those subjects. The combined scores in Mathematics and English were added to the scores gained in Science and Social Studies.
The highest possible standardised scores obtainable were Mathematics – 134, English – 146, Social Studies – 138, and Science – 142. The highest possible overall total score a candidate could obtain was 560.
Salma Majeed – 1st
With 548 marks, 11 year-old Salma Majeed of the ISA Islamic Academy was yesterday declared the Top NGSA candidate. She first learnt of her achievement when the Minister of Education turned up at her East Street, Georgetown, school to present her with a bouquet of flowers.
The soft spoken girl was initially at a loss for words when media operatives started flanking her for a comment. “I just feel happy and speechless,” said Salma as she nervously braced herself to a wall.
She disclosed that along with extra lessons she spent time studying on her own but “not too much to tire my brains…I still made time for fun too.” She said she got immense support from her teachers, parents and of course Allah.
The resident of Queenstown, Georgetown, said that she hopes to attend Queen’s College. She firmly disclosed too that even after furthering her studies in medicine she intends to offer her skills towards the further development of the land of birth.
Christian Pile – 2nd
Like the late civil rights activist Dr Martin Luther King, 11-year-old Christian Pile said that he had a dream that he would have been a part of the top 10 in the NGSA exams 2013. The very bold lad, of Mae’s Under-12 who scored 547 marks, said he studied and studied because he knew after the exam he would have a break to do the things he loved the most.
He said that since the announcement he has not seen his parents but couldn’t wait to tell them the good news. Pile wants to be an Astronomer when he finishes school.
Navindra Persaud – 3rd
Eleven- year-old Navindra Persaud said that when Minister of Education Priya Manickchand arrived at his school, Mae’s Under 12, and announced that he had got the third position, he felt very happy and proud of himself.
He thanked his parents and teachers for their support during the examination period.
The aspiring doctor said that the reason he wants to study medicine is because it was in his heart to help people. He said that preparing for the examination was difficult but with the sacrifices he made he came out successful.
Ashtmi Natasha Deo- 4th
A very tearful 11-year-old Ashtmi Deo, also of Mae’s Under-12,  said that she feels a sense of accomplishment after learning that she will be joining four other colleagues at Queen’s College. “I am glad for myself and I’m thankful to my parents for all their support”.
“Studying for the exam was kind of tough but I pulled through and I am glad I did”, Ashtmi said.
The Mae’s Under 12 pupil said that she did a lot of past papers along with studies along with major sacrifices. She said that she initially wanted to become a doctor but with her passion for music she will be pursuing a career as a musician.
Brandon Chanderban – 5th
Best buddies with Zane Ramotar, Brandon Chanderban of Mae’s Under 12, said that he feared that his friend would not have joined him at the same school after writing their exams. Chanderban said that he made a lot of sacrifices preparing for the exam.
He however thanked his mother and father for their support along with his teachers. The future Pilot said that he was shocked and stood still after he learned about his accomplishment.
Zane Ramotar – 6th
The very cheerful 11- year-old, also of Mae’s Under 12, said that he studied a lot during the examination period. He thanked his teachers and class mates for their support.  He said that he stopped watching television and gave up the things he loves to accomplish his grades.
Leshanna Bindah – 6th
Slipping comfortably into the sixth position with 541 marks along with two others, 11-year-old Leshanna Bindah of the Stella Maris Primary School, was undoubtedly excited when word got to her school about her achievement.
“I feel excited…I didn’t have any idea I would have done so well,” said the beaming pupil as her classmates and teachers burst into a joyful uproar when education officials brought the news.
According to Leshanna, although the NGSA was rather “easy” she was not expecting to be among the country’s top 10. She intends to attend Queen’s College and hopes to eventually pursue studies to become a medical doctor.
“I always wanted to be a doctor since I was in Grade One; that was my desire,” she disclosed.
Leshanna of Newtown, Georgetown, said that she is grateful for all the support that she got from her aunt, with whom she resides, as well as the entire school which has been backing her all along.
Abdur-Rahman Sattaur – 6th
Although the NGSA seems quite easy for Abdur-Rahman Sattaur too, he feels that it was “a little tricky.” In fact he had a pretty good feeling that “I came out on top.” The 11-year-old, attends the Al Ghazali Islamic Academy.
The Eccles, East Bank Demerara resident said he is thankful to God for helping him to perform well. He also expressed gratitude to his teachers and parents who he claims were “very helpful.”  His desire is to attend Queen’s College when the new school year commences.
But although he has an interest in science, Abdur is yet undecided what career path he will take in the future.
Divya Jagroo – 9th
Divya who copped the ninth position said that she is “happy, excited and overjoyed” that she has been given the opportunity to attend Queen’s College; since that is the school she had “always wanted”.
The Graham’s Hall Primary School student said that she was inspired by Michael Gopaul, also a Graham’s Hall student, who topped the NGSA exams last year.
The aspiring doctor said that she studied in the night and in the morning as well in preparation for the exams and that she had to “stop all the nonsense and focus on (her) work”. She gives thanks to her teachers, her parents and friends who supported her.
Daniel Baldeo- Thorne – 9th
A very ecstatic Daniel said that his little five-year-old brother has a lot to look up to after he placed 9th in the NGSA exams yesterday. “I want to give thanks to God and my dad for assisting in my success. The aspiring Astronaut said that he gave a heartfelt thank you to his teachers, of the New Guyana School, especially the principle Miss Donna for guiding him every step of the way.
“I started to prepare for the examination last year September, but starting from August last year my dad gave me a lot of sums to do. The difficult part of studying was to study for the subjects that I am not too good in like Social Studies”.
He said that in preparation for the exam at first he was not confident that he could make the top 10 but after receiving much encouragement from his dad he believed in himself and achieved the unthinkable. He said after learning about his results he stood still in disbelief. Thorne plans to study hard at his new school and making new friends.
Renee Bisnauth – 9th
Upon learning that she placed ninth in the country for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) exams with 540 marks, Renee Bisnauth said that at first she didn’t believe it. The student of Cropper Primary School in Region Six said “I knew I would have achieved high but I really didn’t believe that I could achieve so high!”.
The 11 year old attributes her success to her studying habits, extra lessons and the assistance of her parents, teachers and sisters.
Maitri Vathada – 12th
“This is the happiest day of my life!” exclaimed 12 year old Maitri Vathada of Leonora Primary School when she learnt of her placement in the NGSA exams. She placed twelfth in the country and also topped the entire Region Three.
According to her mother, Maitri had not gone to school yesterday when the results were revealed since she was too anxious.
However, the aspiring astronomer said that she expected to do well since she studied very hard. Since Science is her favourite subject, Maitri said that she had no problem with that exam.  “English was a challenge… but I like challenges.”
Maitri thanks her parents who guided her all the way through, her teacher and the Head Mistress of her School. She is looking forward to be accompanied by other students from the Leonora Primary school who also secured places at the country’s top Secondary School.

 

 

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