THE Ministry of Education hosted its 13th Annual National Awards Ceremony at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown yesterday, recognising schoolchildren for their academic successes.

Recipients at the 13th Annual National Award Ceremony.

Forty-two awards were presented to the best performers at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA); National Grade Nine Assessment (NGNA); Caribbean Secondary Education (CESC) in Junior Secondary Schools; Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CESC) in Senior Secondary Schools; Carnegie School of Home Economics Programme; Government Technical Education Examination (GTEE);Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) for Year One; Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) for Year Two; General Certificate of Education (GCE) at Advanced Subsidiary Level; General Certificate of Education (GCE) at Advanced Level; Most Improved Primary School; Most Improved Junior Secondary School; Most Improved Senior Secondary School and Best Graduating Student from Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the functions of the Office of President, said the achievements being recognised were examples of what every Guyanese could be.

“Not only students, but all Guyanese should be challenged to achieve similar levels of excellence,” he contended.

Mr. Hinds tasked the awardees with the job of making the Guyana that present developments are striving towards.

“This is the task for you but, more importantly, it is a task for all Guyanese,” he repeated.

Emphasising the importance of balance, he said: “Life is a total thing. We must do well is academics but also in other areas.”

Harmonising
Hinds said there is need for harmonising life and work at all levels, particularly at the national level.

Also addressing the gathering, particularly the best performers, was University of Guyana (UG) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lawrence Carrington.

He highlighted the need for need for students, especially, to be consistent, as it is only through that avenue accomplishments will be realised.

According to Mr. Carrington, a successful future is also dependent on three things, never stop learning, never stop sharing what you know and being resourceful.

He explained that, once an individual positions oneself to never stop learning, the person will be pushed from one success to another.

“Everything around you is changing rapidly, so you need to expand your knowledge and upgrade yourselves,” Carrington advised.

He pointed out that, by sharing what one knows, one’s environment is upgraded, ultimately being self-beneficial.

“Progress does not come from individuals but from the efforts of groups,” Carrington maintained.

He maintained that the speed of development will be increased if the knowledge is passed on.

“You must be part of the chain if you are to reap success,” he asserted.

Giving the charge to adopt resourcefulness as a character trait, he said; “Do the best with what you have and better will come.”

Carrington said being resourceful allows an individual to achieve much from little and, if resourcefulness becomes a habit, overcoming challenges will be a task that would be simpler to manoeuvre.