AS I lie here in pain and agony, I find that the pain and agony I feel for those students writing exams is greater. We have to stop this rat race now! Somebody has to say “enough is enough!”  Let me explain. Heartiest congratulations to those students who have done so well, and for those coming from Queens College, you have served to uphold the traditions of excellence so ably exhibited by our alumni all over the world. You are maintaining our positions of pre-eminence at this level.
A new Board of Governors has not been appointed for Queens College and I therefore take the liberty of appealing to the Board of the nation. Do we have to force our children to study day and night in order to come out with thirteen, fourteen or fifteen subjects?  Would it not be better to concentrate on ten or less and give better tuition?  I’m sure that Minister Shaik Baksh is so inclined and would welcome such a decision.
If I wanted, I could identify, at short notice, forty men and women who have been successful in Guyana and who have had eight or less subjects at the CXC level examinations. I have not had the liberty of checking to see how far those who have had fifteen or so before have gone with their educational advancement, but I rather suspect that, in terms of human development, we are damaging those students.
Every father and mother wishes to have his or her child develop into a rounded, well-balanced Guyanese individual. However, when we push students to take fifteen subjects we’re denying them an important part of their life, which is the joy of growing up. It would be better if our children concentrate on ten or less subjects and actively participate in a sport, club, scout or other such activities.  These types of activities would serve to make them rounded individuals.
I end as I started, the pain I feel for those students who are forced to prepare for those subjects is worse than the pain I’m feeling with a broken hip, awaiting surgery. Let us end this madness now! Let me say this, although I expect some persons to object to my position on the subject, and that is perfectly understandable and acceptable, change is always associated with trauma and trauma with pain. It is my wish that, in the same way the Olympic torch is lit and taken all over the world, the torch for a reduction in the massive pressure on our students is now lit and will be taken to every relevant agency and organization with a view to having debate, dialogue and decision so that Guyana can become a country that groom children for, not only academic excellence, but qualities that would produce rounded personalities.