NEW Amsterdam Multilateral Student, Simon Brandon Bactawar, has emerged the top placed CSEC student for Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).He amassed 13 Grade Ones, and four Grade Twos, at the CSEC examinations which was written last May and June, respectively.

Just behind his heels, is 16-year-old Ashmini Prasad of Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, who secured Grade One passes in 12 subjects , and another five subjects in Grade Twos.
Meanwhile, Simon Bactawar, is currently holidaying in the United States; however, when he was told of his performance by his father, the teen was reportedly very elated.
It was the Guyana Chronicle that had earlier informed Stephen Bactawar of his son’s achievement. Contacted later, the elder Bactawar recalled his son shouting uncontrollably on hearing of his success.
However, the teenager was quick to attribute his success to the solid primary education which was received at the Kildonan Primary School, where he created history by being the first pupil from that school to have been awarded a place at the prestigious Queen’s College in Georgetown.
But, financial challenges disallowed him from attending that prestigious learning institution, and so he opted to attend the New Amsterdam [Multilateral] Secondary School.
Apart for pursuing his academics, the Region’s top achiever is a musician and plays the lead guitar, while aspiring to be awarded with the ‘black belt’ from the Japanese Karate Association.
Simon, the younger of two children, was inspired to become a neurosurgeon after an uncle died from brain cancer, a few years ago, when he wrote the Grade Six examination.
But his father, who incidentally is a Child Welfare Officer within the Ministry of Education, said that after his son’s birth, he knew that Simon was a special child, so he tried his uttermost to provide the right environment which would have brought out the best in his son.
“He is very disciplined. I never had to remind him to do his school assignments or study. He did all on his own,” Stephen Bactawar concluded.
In the meantime, Ashmini Prasad expressed disappointment at her results. She had hoped to do better.
The 16-year-old is currently employed at a hardware store at her home village in Skeldon, Upper Corentyne, and would remain there until her application is accepted at the Cyril Potter College of Education.
Her rationale for writing seventeen subjects was that she wanted to challenge herself. Additionally, she wanted to have a better understanding of the varying subjects as she prepares to enter the world of teaching.
“Several teachers guided me. Some supported me. I want to mirror the effect they had on me to other students,” she posited.
She credits her success to Ms Christine Singh, her adviser/counselor; her older sister Dharmini, for her motivation; Ms Shashie for her extra lessons in chemistry, physics and biology, along with other teachers, parents and friends.
Subjects written by Ashmini Prasad are English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Principles of Business, Principles of Accounts, Office Administration, Information Technology, Technical Drawing, Caribbean History, Human and Social Biology, Geography, Chemistry, Physics and Biology along with Electronic Data Processing machine.

By Jeune Bailey Vankeric