RESULTS for the second batch of visually-impaired students who sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in May/June were released yesterday and saw a distribution of Grade Ones and Two passes.

After 10 months of vigorous preparation, that second batch, consisting of 10 visually-impaired persons managed to obtain an 80% pass rate, with top student Alwyn Adams securing three Grade One passes — in Principles of Business, Office Administration and English ‘A,’ while earning Grade Two passes in Human and Social Biology (HSB) and Social Studies.

The results were announced yesterday at the office of the Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB); and Ganesh Singh, GSB Project Coordinator, highlighted that though the pass rate has dropped from that of last year’s 84%, the society is still proud of the achievements of its second batch.

The Guyana Chronicle caught up with four of the GSB top students, all of whom shared similar dreams of pursuing their academic studies at the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

Though suffering from an inherited condition of ‘Retinitis Pigmentosa’, which causes a gradual breakdown and loss of cells in the retina, 36-year-old ALWYN ADAMS has emerged as this year’s CSEC top student from the Guyana Society for the Blind.

Adams, like any top performer, was overjoyed when the results were revealed. He reflected on the challenges he faced throughout the months leading up to the examinations.

“HSB was the most challenging, because it was all new to me, but I am still satisfied with my Grade Two pass; and I want to thank my tutors, who were excellent in teaching all the subjects,” said the proud student.

Adams aspires to become a businessman, and to possibly have his own transportation business in the near future, given the “absurdity” in the public transportation system in Guyana. This justifies, said Adams, the Grade One passes he obtained in all the business subjects.

The determined student, who hails from Stewartville on the West Coast of Demerara, said he will be pursuing his studies at the University of Guyana soon. Adams worked for 12 years at the John Fernandes Limited in his earlier days, and resigned after realising his eye defect had taken a major turn.

Second in achievements was GUILLIAN LAYNE, who also secured Grade One passes in Principles of Business, Office Administration and English ‘A,’ besides a Grade Two pass in Social Studies.

Layne is a mother of three, and has served as a teacher for most of her life. She is currently tutoring at the David Rose Primary. She was nearly in tears when she expressed her happiness at attaining passes in all her subjects and emerging as the second top performer this year.

“I am overjoyed! My next move is to return to CPCE where I once studied Early Childhood, and was unable to complete the programme because the lecturers felt I was incompetent because of my disability,” proclaimed the proud 41-year-old student.

Layne participated in the four-week music training programme which is geared to build capacity and develop the necessary skills to effectively deliver a music programme in primary schools.

Despite being labelled as having a “learning disability,” 18-year-old CEION ROLLOX was the third most successful student of the programme by securing Grade One passes in Principles of Business and Social Studies; Grade Two passes in Office Administration and English ‘A’; and a Grade Three pass in Human and Social Biology.

Rollox, who was born with cataract, aspires to one day be engaged in the field of Journalism. He plans to pursue a Degree in Communication Studies at the University of Guyana, come September.

“I like to talk and be in the spotlight, and this is a big achievement for me. So I’m going for it, and will pursue my Degree in Communications in September. I am already registered,” said the proud lad.

Having secured three Grade One passes — in English ‘A,’ Principles of Business and Human and Social Biology at last year’s sitting, 26-year-old DOUGLAS TIKA sat an additional three subjects this year, and has secured Grade Three passes in Caribbean History, Social Studies and Office Administration.

Displaying a tad of disappointment, Tika said he is satisfied with his results, and will be attending the University of Guyana soon to pursue studies in either Communications or Physical Therapy. At the age of 15, Tika was shot in his head at a party, which resulted in visual impairment in both eyes. He wrote CSEC in 2007 but it was challenging as he was then adapting to his condition.

Last year, for the first time ever, the Guyana Society for the Blind recorded tremendous success at the CSEC, as its student Rosemary Ramitt secured five Grade One passes in all five subjects, followed by Odessa Blair, who secured five Grade Two passes.
Though the pass rate has dropped, Singh said, come the new batch, the society will implement strict measures so as to avoid another reduction in the pass rate.

By Shivanie Sugrim

(Photo by Samuel Maughn)