The Region Three Department of Education last  Thursday awarded several top achievers who sat the National Grade Two, Six and Nine Assessment Examinations, the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC) and the Secondary Competency Certificate Program (SCCP) for their outstanding achievements at the regional and national level.

The list of awardees included the region’s top performer at CSEC, Meikel Mahabir from West Demerara Secondary School who secured 13 Grade Ones, a press release stated. He was also among the top five performers in the country.
Adjudged the best National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) performer in the region was Surendra Gocool from Kawall Primary who scored 541 marks. He had also secured a place among the top 10 performers countrywide and currently attends Queen’s College.
There were several other awardees who ranged from the best athlete to participants in various academic competitions such as impromptu speech and debating competitions.
The department also sought to honour retiring teachers for their outstanding and selfless contributions towards the development of education in the region.
Regional Education Officer Marlyn Jones-O’Donoghue congratulated the awardees on  their outstanding achievements in their respective fields.   She also acknowledged the challenges faced by the education sector in ensuring that every student received quality education but noted that the region will continue aiming for the skies.
In presenting the statement of awards to the attendees, Jones-O’Donoghue explained that the list was compiled based on the student’s performance and they were drawn from across the Essequibo Islands/West Demerara area.
She said further that  while there were several competitions organized by the Education Department to commemorate various activities, only those who came out on top were awarded.   The education officer also expressed her gratitude to the outgoing teachers for their service.

Historic moment
Meanwhile Regional Chairman Julius Faerber declared  that the celebration of the best in the region coupled with those who have given selflessly and contributed to the success of the region is indeed a historic moment.
He told the awardees and those in attendance that the Government of Guyana makes education a priority and noted that it is evident in the recent National Budget.
The regional chairman pointed out also that education in the region had developed significantly since top students at NGSA come not only from Leonora Primary, as they used to, but all other primary schools are also performing.  He credited the improvement in the quality of education to the teachers who thought it necessary  to broaden their knowledge and better serve the nation.
“Retirees you have given your whole life to the system …you have molded the nation’s children and you have uplifted the standard of education in Region 3….do not end your career here, there are more you can do…..,” Faerber said as he offered words of appreciation to the retired teachers.
The ceremony is an annual feature of the region and one that it takes pride in organizing, the release added.