By Naomi Marshall

Thirteen students of Ituni and Kwakwani, Sub-Region Two were on Tuesday honoured by the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10 ( Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice ) for outstanding achievements at their National Grade Two, Four and Six Assessments 2017.

The presentation ceremony was held at the Kwakwani Primary School where all 13 children were given backpacks containing school supplies.
In addition, the top NGSA performers of Sub-Region 2- Ericson Dennis previously of Kwakwani Primary and Genese Edwards, Delencia Mingo, Miguel Bennett and Devon Benjamin, all formerly of Ituni Primary were presented with a cellular phone and a special gift donated by Upper Berbice Forest Producers.

Regional Vice Chairman, Elroy Adolph, in his opening remarks stated that the Regional Democratic Council have recognised that the children of Sub-Region Two are as important as those in Linden. He noted, “So this exercise is just a token, we are giving back to the children who have worked very hard and were successful in their exam. We recognise and we love the children in Sub-Region Two, the people in Sub-Region 2, despite you may not see us all the time that does not say that you are not part of us.”

The Secondary Regional Education Officer said that the Department of Education is impressed that even though the students faced many challenges such as, lack of technology, yet they still worked to achieved exceptional marks at your NGSA.
She encouraged the students to continue striving for excellence as they make themselves and community proud.

Linden’s Regional Chairman, Rennis Morian, in remarks noted “the playing field is not equal,” but that they are working towards having this situation regularised. According to him, it was at a prize-giving ceremony in Linden where he realised that if not all, most of the children honoured were from Linden.

“Some of the amenities that the children in Central Linden and Georgetown enjoy the children out here don’t enjoy. We are working for a level playing field, hence, if you judge the outcome across like that, it means that we would have been omitting children who would have worked very hard in an uneven situation and we have to find a way that we could reward the children,” he explained

Morian further said that all of the 13 students who received tokens on Tuesday will be given school supplies every term for the next two years providing that they achieve 65% and more at the end of the school term.
“I’m just showing the mind of the President, His Excellency David Arthur Granger who has placed a very high premium on the education of children and has placed a lot of pressure on us to reach out to children,” noted.

Councillor Charles Sampson assured the students, parents, and teachers that the Regional Democratic Council will stick to its commitment.
Head Teacher on the Kwakwani Primary School, Alicia Smith, expressed her gratitude towards the initiative stating, “I want to say I’m truly appreciative of this gesture. Indeed, in Kwakwani you felt as though nobody cared about you, but today we are reminded that Kwakwani and the Upper Berbice River and the Lower Berbice River which is a part of Region 10 is truly a part of RDC #10.”

Kim Dennis, mother of Ericson Dennis who gained 491 at NGSA, topping the Kwakwani Primary School, expressed her gratefulness in stating “I am very much elated. I am more than grateful to God for all that he has done. I know that my son is not here at this presentation, but he is at President Collage and I would convey all the sentiments and say thank you very much to the Region.”

“I aimed for what I want cause nuff people doubt me and tell me that I couldn’t do it, and I try to do it and I did it. I’m proud of myself,” said joyful Delencia Mingo who gained 482 at NGSA, gaining a spot at the Mackenzie High School.