Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
Top performers dubbed “torch-bearers of excellence”
The notion that the celebration of top academic performers is a necessity is one that was recently amplified by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who insisted that “their successes should be made to challenge, inspire and encourage others to reach for similar high standards.”
And of equal importance too, Hinds noted, are strategic moves to impress on all citizens the need to strive to always do better. This, he explained, should translate to “doing better each day, defying the odds, to surprise even ourselves, and to surpass expectations.”
The Prime Minister’s encouraging remarks were forthcoming
Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds (third from left) in the company of the top CSEC Performers – (from left) Zimeena Rasheed, Rafena Mustapha, Yogeeta Persaud, Sasha Woodroffe and Cecil Cox.
at the 17th hosting of the Ministry of Education’s National Award Ceremony for Outstanding Performers at the National Cultural Centre on Thursday last.
And according to him, in the quest to achieve growth and development, there is a crucial need for each individual to strive to do better by becoming more capable and productive – which requires a commitment for excellence.
Alluding to the 2013 national and regional top performers who were duly rewarded at the ceremony, Prime Minister Hinds observed that they in fact “epitomise that commitment. You are our torch-bearers of excellence and today we pay tribute to you; your country salutes your achievements.”
He cautioned the top performers though that “no fame or wealth that you achieve can compete or compare with what your parents or guardians and teachers have given to you…never forget that.”
The Prime Minister reminded them too that “you are who you are today because of their love and sacrifice; those sacrifices may not always be known to you…they shield you from knowing what they had to give up in providing for you and enabling your success.”
According to him, there are many parents who sacrifice their personal goals and ambitions with a view of ensuring that their children receive opportunities that they themselves never had.
As such he noted that the incomparable contributions of parents and guardians to the successes of the top performers must not be understated.
Similarly, he said that teachers must be appreciated for the role they continually play to educate the nation’s children. He underscored that without the efforts of teachers the top performers could not have attained the heights that they have reached. “They have unselfishly and devotedly dedicated themselves to providing guidance, knowledge and support to you…,” said Hinds. According to him teachers are often the unsung heroes and heroines in the society.
In light of the laudable academic performances realised this year, the Prime Minister asserted that in addition to the top performers, teachers and parents, Government also feels rewarded and vindicated. This he noted even as he pointed out that the environment in which the top performers studied contributed significantly to the successful performances realised over the years.
Moreover, the Prime Minister made a point of highlighting that the successes have not been coincidental since Government has been committed to making deliberate investments which have aided the achievements realised. He noted though that while the efforts were noble, it was not easily attained. “We have to make a little go a long way…we were not ever and are still a far way from being a rich country….” noted Hinds who outlined that fervent efforts are being made to meet more people rather than just a few.”
Among those who were duly rewarded at the National Awards ceremony were the top performers at the National Grade Six Assessment, the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination, the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination, the Guyana Technical Education Examination and those at the Carnegie School of Home Economics.
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