FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger yesterday told Success Elementary School’s graduating Class of 2015 that the world is their oyster, and that they can do and become anything they set their minds to, as long as education remains their central focus.

She was at the time delivering the charge at the school’s annual prize-giving and graduation exercise at an elaborate ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre.

“You have excelled because of your efforts. You have excelled because of your dedication to your studies. When you enjoy your education, the process of learning becomes a lovely life experience…” the First Lady said, adding:
“Our country needs educated people; our country needs dedicated people; and you are among those who can contribute to making our country great.”
Referencing the new administration’s commitment to modernising the education sector, Mrs. Granger said, “Our students need to be become equipped to cope with life and work in the 21st Century. They need not only to be articulate, but to communicate, using modern technology. “They need to be aware of the world around them, and the vast opportunities for growth and development.”

Noting that in Guyana, over 50 per cent of the population is below the age of 24, and that a significant number of the young people in that demographic are jobless, Mrs Granger said poverty also contributes to many young people not reaching their highest potential, as they are forced to drop out of school.
This having to curtail their education, she said, places them in a very vulnerable position, whereby they are easily lured into wrongdoings, just to make ends meet.

Mrs. Granger, an esteemed academic herself, congratulated the teaching staff of Success Elementary, and the students and their families for the dedication and commitment shown as they strive for excellence.

This year, the school’s best graduating student is Solomon Cherai, who is also the country’s top student at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations. He copped 530 out of 535 marks, and was awarded a place at Queen’s College.
Cherai was closely followed by his classmate, Shania Eastman with 529 marks.

A total of 15,225 students sat the examinations this year, and Success Elementary had 25 students among the 188 who made up the top one per cent.
The School’s Principal, Ms Eleanor Shivmangal called for parents and guardians to work more closely with the school’s administration to ensure that the standards as set out by the Ministry of Education are met.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Success Elementary has delivered outstanding performances at the NGSA exams, with its high-fliers placing in the country’s top 10. (Ministry of the Presidency)