“Limits society places on us do not define us or our capabilities”

– Guyana’s top CSEC student– Guyana’s top CSEC student

The Education Ministry on Tuesday officially announced this year’s top performers at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
During the press conference hosted at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), it was revealed that a total of 26 students across Guyana managed to secure 12 Grades Ones and more at the 2017 sitting of the CSEC examination.

Recording a landmark achievement for his school and country was 16-year-old Michael Bhopaul of Queen’s College, who managed to secure a groundbreaking 25 passes at the secondary level regional assessment.
Bhopual, who scored a massive 24 Grade Ones and One Grade Two indicated that he is ecstatic but mostly satisfied that his efforts were not in vain. While speaking with Guyana Times International on Tuesday, the aspiring professor of Quantum Physics underlined what prompted his ambitious leap to pursue 25 subjects.
He relayed, “I just want to show students across the Caribbean that the limits society places on us do not define us or our capabilities, we are beyond that,” while continuing, “Whatever you set your mind to, you can achieve it, as long as you’re consistent and you’re dedicated.”
As such, the QC student copped the top spot among a list of 26 local top rankers at CSEC 2017.
Coming in at second is Rawleeta Barrow, also of Queen’s College, who earn herself 19 Grade Ones at this year’s sitting.
In her interview with this newspaper, the Chief Justice in the making outlined her climb to success. In doing so she stated, “Preparation wise it was a lot of studying, I had to determine my goal and just focus on it. It was a lot of time, energy, dedication and I couldn’t be happier with the results.”

As such, Barrow noted, “I’m ecstatic actually, but I think the overwhelming emotion that I feel is gratitude to all those who helped me through this experience.”
Ranking third is yet another QC student, Roshawn Cummings, who walked off with 16 Grades Ones at this year’s CSEC examinations.
The aspiring politician expressed delight in his performance and thanked his supporters for the part played in his success.
“I’m very proud of myself first of all, I mean I didn’t expect to do that well but I’m grateful I’m thankful to God and all the people that helped me to achieve this incredible feat,” said Cummings.
The QC top ranker further conveyed, “I look forward to moving forward in life and serving my country.”
The remainder of the top five spots was filled by Keshini Digamber, who attained 16 Ones and one Three; as well as Shontel Archer, scoring 15 Grande Ones and three Twos. Both of the girls hail from the Saraswati Vidya Niketan in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
Essequibo Coast
Meanwhile, also present at the press conference on Tuesday was the top performer of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), who hails from Anna Regina Multilateral on the Essequibo Coast.
Nicholas Headley, 17, scored 15 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos and as such is calling on other students from his region to follow in his footsteps. Commenting on his accomplishment, the Essequibian relayed, “Naturally as any other student would, I’m excited, overjoyed, overwhelmed… preparations for the exams I would say I put in a fair amount of studies with the aid of the teachers. I also remember the almighty above, he is a very important person/aspect in my life.”
Berbice top ranker, Puran Subramanie – 13 Grade Ones
“I would say to any student, if you feel that you have a natural desire, the natural ability to achieve well, go ahead, don’t hold yourself back, go ahead as my teachers would have always told me,” Headley expressed while extending words of advice to students looking to mirror his success.
A total of 26 students ranked among the top performers in Guyana at the 2017 CSEC examination, with each of the young minds gaining Grade One passes in 12 subjects or more.
Among the high-flyers are students of Queen’s College, ISA Islamic and Marian Academy in Georgetown, Saraswati Vidya Niketan, on the West Coast of Demerara, Anna Regina Secondary on the Essequibo Coast, and Tagore High in Berbice.
Tagore Memorial Secondary, a school which has been under investigation after allegations surfaced that a teacher was offering students illegal drugs, is now boasting success at this year’s CSEC, as two of the students from the class that was at the centre of the investigation have topped the region.
Kamella Parsudial of Number Naught Village, Corentyne, has topped Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with 13 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos while her classmate Puran Subramanie of Number 67 Village, Corentyne, copped 13 Grade Ones.
Parsudial is the daughter of a rice farmer and Subramanie is the son of a fisherman.
Speaking with Guyana Times International, Parsudial said she wanted to challenge herself and wrote 15 subjects. The young woman explained that there was a lot of competition which pushed her to excel.
Not quite sure what she intends to do, in a positive voice she said it will be something in the medical field.
Meanwhile, Subramanie says he had to give up watching television and spent many nights studying. “Some nights I went right through. My mother would tell me to go to my bed and get some rest but she understood that I was up doing my studies. When I am finished I would go in. My mother was very, very supportive when I was studying.”
The young man is still to decide what he wants to make his career since he has two options. “It will either be in the medical field or aviation. I am not sure as yet but I like both of them,” he said.