— Cropper Primary produces four of region’s top 10 students

Chitra Ramdihal, 11, and Pawan Ketwaroo, 12, tied for the top position in
Region Six at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), 2019.

Both Ramdihal of Cropper Primary and Ketwaroo of Cumberland Primary scored 520 marks and obtained a place at Queen’s College. They told Guyana Chronicle that they studied hard and even sacrificed doing the things they love so that they could focus on the bigger goal.

When this newspaper visited Cropper Primary, Ramdihal was
overjoyed. She and other Grade Four students were surrounded
by their teachers as they shared the good news with each other. Ramdihal,
an aspiring lawyer, was in her class when she received the news from her teacher and could not stop smiling.

The young lady said with the exception of Social Studies, the other three
subjects were relatively easy. She thanked God, her parents and teachers, who all encouraged and supported her during her primary school journey.

Her parents, Gangama Jabode, a housewife and Yugendra Ramdihal, a cane
harvester, were overjoyed when they learnt of their daughter’s success.

Her mother, after learning of the news, rode to the school to congratulate and hug her daughter. She described Chitra as a quiet but hard working child.

“I am proud of her. She has always been doing well and we just support
her and offer whatever is needed when it is needed,” the proud mother said.
Now that Chitra has topped the region, she is hoping that her family can take her on a vacation.

Over in Cumberland Village, Pawan Ketwaroo, 12, called “Vicky” had just returned home for lunch as he sat with his proud parents discussing his achievements.

He told this publication that the examinations were challenging but he was always
confident of doing well.

The young man noted in the time leading up to the examinations, he forego watching television and playing cricket to spend more time studying Science and
Social Studies.

Ketwaroo, who hopes to become a medical doctor, said he was surprised
after he learnt that he did not only top his school but also the region.

MOVED TO TEARS
His parents Babita Ramdeen, 42, a housewife and his father, Alan Kumar
Ketwaroo, a former employee of the Rose Hall Estate were both moved to
tears after they learnt their only child has topped the region.

Babita said her son worked extremely hard and most of the time prefers to study on his own. She stays with him as he revised his work done at school.
Ketwaroo’s dad told Guyana Chronicle that prior to his son’s examination, he had several challenges to overcome, including facing redundancy from the Rose Hall
Estate but he tried not to let it affect his home and his son.

He explained that the money he received from the estate, along with his
savings, he put it towards building a comfortable home for his family.

“Now I have to look at the future of my son so I can continue to give
him what he need so he can become a doctor. I always encouraged him
and even try to limit his time on the tablet and TV. Today, he has made
us very proud. He is so quiet and humble and he made us very happy.”

Meanwhile, Babita is encouraging other parents to invest in their children, spend quality time with them and always encourage them to be a better version of themselves.

She checks her son’s books each day after school and she saw improvements each term.

WANT TO BECOME PRESIDENT
Among the top 10 in the region was Gabriella Henry of Cropper Primary, who obtained 517 marks. Henry, who wants to become a lawyer or doctor, told Guyana Chronicle that she hopes to become the President of Guyana one day. Brianna Isaacs of All Saints Primary also did well. She scored 516 marks.
An aspiring pediatrician, Isaacs credits her success to her parents, God and her teachers. Marissa Siriram also of Cropper followed with 514 marks. Marissa hopes to become a doctor and pledges to continue to study and work hard to achieve the profession of dream.
Vikash Nadesan also of Cropper Primary gained 513 marks and hopes to become a businessman like his father, who operates a tent and chair rental business.
The young man is encouraging students to take their studies seriously and to start studying as early as Grade One. Jaeden Conway of School of the Nations in New Amsterdam also scored 513 marks. He wants to become a veterinary surgeon.

Over at Port Mourant Primary on the Corentyne, an aspiring
cardiologist topped the school with 513 marks. Hemesh Bhigroog, 11, of
Rose Hall Town was ecstatic to learn he secured a place among the top 10. Like Nadesan, he is encouraging other students to take their studies seriously, beginning at the early grades in primary school.

“To do well, you have to study, but what rain can’t full, dew can’t full, so
if you are not studying from Grades One to Five but you are going to study
now, then you are just pressuring yourself, so you should start early,” he advised.

Asked about his views on the examinations, Bhigroog said, “Math, English and Social Studies were in my comfort zone but science was a bit tough but not
difficult because nothing can be difficult in life.” He and other top students in the region secured a place at Bishops’ High School.

Bhawanie Yabindranauth of Skeldon Primary and Aedan Sanmoogan of Cumberland Primary who attained 512 and 511 respectively, were awarded a place at St. Stanislaus College.