Private school pupils lead 2016 NGSA performers

Jul 06, 2016 News

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The results of the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were unveiled yesterday and topping the list were pupils of two privately-operated schools – Anthony Ferreira of Mae’s Under 12 and Aryan Singh of Dharmic Rama Krishna. Both pupils secured 568 marks.
Announcing the names of the top performers yesterday, during a live broadcast, was Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, effectively relieving the curiosity of many nationwide.
ANTHONY FERREIRA (568 marks)
“I was overjoyed; I was really happy when I heard that I topped the country,” remarked the elated 11-year-old yesterday during an interview with this publication. He was, however, surprised when a reporter attached to this publication told him that he shared the top performing spot with another candidate.
“I didn’t know that; you’re serious?” questioned Ferreira who appeared a bit disappointed.
He, however, admitted that his performance is far better than he had anticipated.
“I knew I would have been in the top 20 or top 10, but not exactly in first place. He credited his parents, teachers and God with his success.
“I prayed every night, I prayed before every test,” said Ferreira as he reflected on how tough Mathematics Paper Two was in particular.
According to the young man, who is excited to head to Queen’s College – since he is the first in his family to do so – he hopes to embrace a study path that will equip him with the skills to become a technological engineer. After all, he has a keen passion for video games.
ARYAN SINGH (568 marks)
Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary School top performer, Aryan Singh, who also claimed 568 marks at the 2016 NGSA, told Kaieteur News during an interview that his success is really the product of all the teachers who taught him from nursery right up to Grade Six. He thanked his mother and God, too, for being there to nurture and look over him.
The lad stated that he did not attend any extra lessons but would do his homework and revise on a daily basis. He related that his life was like that of any normal child, as he would watch television and play, but was able to balance fun time with his studies.
He also spoke of having an avid interest in finance, and would therefore like to become the President of the World Bank some day. In a message to the students that placed in the top bracket of the NGSA, young Aryan sent out congratulations and noted that they too did excellently.
SARENA RAZAK (565 marks)
Sarena Razak of Graham’s Hall Primary School secured the third place position at NGSA this year with a total of 565 marks. Speaking with Kaieteur News, the brilliant 11-year-old expressed that she felt really great about her exceptional performance. According to the top performer, she always knew that she would have done well.
She stated that there were no special preparations done for the two-day examination. It appears that it was just a normal day at school for Sarena. She noted that her parents and relatives were very supportive of her. Additionally, she credits her success to the teachers at Graham’s Hall, particularly Ms. Holder.
Regarding any possible career interests, Sarena admitted that at the moment, she does not have a specific profession in mind.
CHELSEA BARNES (563 marks)
Chelsea Barnes of Grove East Bank Demerara credited her success to hard work, her parents and teachers. The 11-year-old has been attending Success Elementary from Grade Two.
“I am happy to have a place at Queen’s College, but I must admit that I will miss my school and teachers.”
Barnes said that she studied for hours at a time and sacrificed leisure time.
“I love to read so I had to sacrifice reading and TV to study,” she said. Barnes dreams of becoming a General Surgeon when she is older.
ARUN SOOKNARINE (562 marks)
A playful Arun Sooknarine said that his thanks are directed to God foremost, his parents and teachers. Fifth in the country at the NGSA examinations, the Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary School pupil said that he did not look at television since starting Grade Six and attended extra lessons.
He expressed joy at being a top performer and getting the school that he had long desired. He disclosed that he wanted to be awarded a place at “Guyana’s top secondary school – Queen’s College” – and as a result worked towards getting the required marks to gain entry at the school. He hopes to be an aeronautical engineer when he grows up.
HELIA AGARD (561 marks)
Eleven-year-old Helia Agard of Diamond East Bank Demerara, a student of Success Elementary, expressed gratitude to her parents and teachers for the success she has attained. She noted that it was because of the combined support she got, coupled with her determination that catapulted her to success.
The pupil noted that her work regimen consisted of early morning drills held at school. There were no extra lessons but only the 6:30 and 7:00 am classes which was useful in helping her and other pupils retain their schoolwork.
Agard noted that her teachers also gave her useful tips for retaining her studies. “I‘d like to thank my teachers, especially Sir Success and Miss Africo for helping us stick through the early morning classes leading up to the exams. I am just really thankful…” she added.
JUSTIN SEECHARAN (560 marks)
Justin Seecharan, whose leisure included playing computer games, cricket and reading, thanked his parents and teachers for their support. He scored 560 marks along with five others to claim seventh place. He attributed his success to his faith in Jesus Christ, his parents and teachers. Seecharan hopes to one day become a physicist.
INDIE RAMPERSAUD (560 marks)
Much like her colleagues, Indie Rampersaud also thanked her parents and teachers for their support and guidance through the exam periods. The 11-year -old pupil from West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was elated to have achieved her feat. She dreams of pursuing studies as an attorney-at-law after completing secondary school.
JONATHAN GANGA (560 marks)
Eleven-year-old Jonathan Ganga from Leonora Primary School said that he was happy and excited about his achievement.
The confident lad stated that he was certain that he would have performed well at the examinations. However, he noted that Mathematics proved to be a bit of a challenge.
He expressed gratitude to the teachers of his school and his parents. Jonathan’s study schedule usually entailed him doing work between 16:00 hours to 22:00 hours. According to his mother, Joylin Ganga, Jonathan was not pressured in anyway.
She said that her son usually relaxed on weekends, but did light work during the day. Speaking with elation, the lad’s mother stated that she too is extremely happy with the young boy’s performance.
DIVYA NANDALALL (560 marks)
She had no loss for words to express how she felt about her performance. Divya, a pupil of Mae’s Under 12 said “I am very excited, I am happy, I am overjoyed, I am so glad and relieved that I did well.”
The pupil smiled continuously as she expressed appreciation for the support she gained from her family members and teachers many of whom gave her advice that she found very useful. The 11-year-old made it clear that she prayed a lot and divulged “I expected to do very well; I expected to go to Queen’s College.”
She doesn’t expect to be lonely at her new school since her twin sister will also be attending the same institution.
Divya has a passion for Science and has embraced thoughts of becoming a medical doctor some day.
LEMUEL ASSING (560 marks)
Lemuel Assing of the New Guyana School also scored 560 marks at the 2016 NGSA too.
“I feel great! It had to be done; everyone was expecting me to do well.”
The 11-year-old thanked the Lord for his being here. He disclosed that the preparation for the exams was a lot of hard work and that he was given a study guide by his teacher. He continued that he focused on following the guide to the best of his ability and would normally study various subjects on designated week days.
The lad who hails from Parfait Harmonie on the West Bank Demerara doesn’t have a profession in mind as yet, but didn’t forget to thank his parents and teachers for supporting him throughout the course of the examinations.
MUHAMMAD HASSAD (559 marks)
Although he was confident that he did well, 12-year-old Muhammad Hassad said that he had some doubt that he got some things wrong at the assessment. He is satisfied with his performance which has placed him 12th in the top one per cent performers at the 2016 NGSA. He shares that position with two others.
Happy with his performance, Hassad, who resided overseas before attending the Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, Al Ghazali Islamic, recalled that he had to work really hard. He enrolled at the school at the Grade Five level.
“I came to Guyana for the first time then and I worked with all my teachers, and my parents helped so much…everyone tried with me. An important lesson I learnt is to learn from your mistake” said Hassad who hopes to eventually become a doctor because of his love for Science and Mathematics.
He is appreciative to his Creator, who he noted, also helped him every day.
SAALIH RAHIM (559 marks)
Saalih Rahim of the East Street, Georgetown, ISA Islamic School, did not waste any time to thank his Creator as well as his parents and teachers for helping him to perform well at the 2016 NGSA. He related that while he likes to play cricket and tennis he had to focus more on his studies during examination time.
While he has secured a score that entitles him to attend Queen’s College, Rahim said that this is a matter for him to discuss further with his parents. He believes that he would like to further his studies at the Islamic school and divulged that “I would like to pursue Islamic studies and become an Islamic scholar.”
Also securing a score of 559 was Annandi Diaram of the Valmiki Vidyalaya school of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.
JORDON NELSON (558 marks)
The second pupil of the New Guyana School to place in the top 15 of the 2016 NGSA is Jordon Nelson. Nelson said that he expected to do well but not that well. The beaming 12-year-old thanked the “Lord Jesus”, his parents and teachers, especially Ms. Greene.
Nelson, who scored 558 marks to be 15th, said that his only challenge was grammar as he was a bit weak in that area. He shares the 15th place with Aletha Joseph.
According to Nelson, he has two professions in mind that he would have to choose from when he grows up. Since he is inclined to Science, the lad is aiming to either be a theoretical physicist or a doctor.

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