SOCIAL Cohesion Minister Amna Ally has called on the 2016 graduating class of the Anna Regina Secondary School to always be ready and willing to share their views and ideas, as they are never too young to make a difference in their community.She made this appeal in her feature address at the school’s graduation and awards ceremony, held in its auditorium for students who sat this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

“I urge you to try your utmost to participate as young people in the governing of your country… Your unique perspectives can help us adults to develop and move our country forward to achieving greatness,” the minister said.

Minister Ally said it is important that young people of Guyana be equipped and fully prepared for the future by aiming for the highest possible level of education, a mantra that President David Granger has promoted in the interest of transforming Guyana into an ‘Education Nation’.

“That is why, since 2015, [President Granger] initiated the Five Bs Programme… Our President strongly believes that access to education should no longer be seen as a privilege for some, but as a basic human right for all our Guyanese boys and girls,” she explained.

The minister further encouraged the students not to be afraid to dream big, and she said that in all things, even as they strive for higher heights, they must remember to hold themselves in high regard and to respect each other in their differences.

“Part of what makes each one of you beautiful and wonderful is your differences… You should be extremely proud of [these differences], because that is what makes us unique, and it is what makes Guyana unique,” she said.

Minister Ally added that the strength of Guyana lies in the ability of persons to come together in unity, despite their differences.

She also took the opportunity to present the school with a collection of sporting equipment, besides a grass cutter and five radios.

Anna Regina Secondary alumnus Attorney Tracy Marks, in her charge to the students, urged them to challenge themselves, as opportunities before them are limitless.

“You are graduating at an exciting time — a time when new frontiers are opening and developments are occurring in our country and wider world; when new opportunities in the area of oil and gas, medicine, climate change, law and business are all calling for youths to venture into these areas, which don’t only bring economic gain to the country, but personal gain,” she said.

The school’s headmaster, Lalljeet Ruplall, in his report, stated that 163 students graduated, having achieved passes in five or more subjects at the CSEC examinations.
He proudly stated that the school has witnessed an 11 per cent increase in matriculation, in comparison to the previous year. He also announced that the school would seek to add to its academic portfolio by introducing an option for sixth form studies.

This will be the first school in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) to offer this option, Ruplall said.