Setting records since 2001

By Indrawattie Natram

THE Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS) located at Cotton Field in Region Two continues to shine at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, as the school’s own Shakira Bholo scored the second highest performance for the country, achieving 21 passes.

For 2017-2018, 147 students sat the examinations. Other top performers from the school whose grades were also among the country’s highest include, Camecia De La Cruz with 20 passes, Vishal Narine with 15 passes, Begum Baksh with 17 passes and Alexander Westford with 16 passes. The school has managed to maintain an overall pass rate of 80 per cent over the last nine years with a pass rate of 82 per cent last year, and saw an improvement of 90.2 per cent this year in all subject areas. There has been a significant improvement in Mathematics and English and 100 per cent passes in 15 of the 28 subjects offered at CSEC.

According to headmaster of the school Sir Lalljeet Ruplall, the students have set the bar high for other students to follow. During an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Ruplall said since 2001 the school has gained national recognition and has since maintained its records.

In 2001, for the first time, the school made its name with student David Gooray topping the country at the examinations. Safraz Sharief topped the country in 2007 followed by Rahul Lall in 2008 and Zimeena Raheed in 2013. These students have undoubtedly made the name for the school and, today have taken up leadership positions in various sectors.
In 2008, Rahul Lall was named the Best Tech VOC student for the Caribbean and in 2013 the now- deceased Yogeeta Persaud was named Most Outstanding Candidate Overall for the Caribbean. In 2013 Zimeena Rasheed was also awarded the Best Tech VOC Student and in 2015, her sister, Aliyah Rasheed maintained the title for the school. Ruplall said in 2017 the school was ranked seventh in the country for the students’ outstanding performances.

“The successes are evident. Different heads worked really hard to build this school, especially Sir Parmeshwar Lall and Miss Mohanie Ramlakhan. The school began to improve under their stewardship,” Ruplall said.

CO-CURRICULUM
Apart from academics, ARMS had dominated at the Inter-Schools’ sports over the past 10 years. Sports have played an integral role in the school system and for the past five years, the school has dominated the inter-regional cricket. Religious education has also positively impacted the student’s life.

Speaking about improvements, the current headmaster said the matriculation and overall percentage has improved and it is his desire for it to be sustained. He said for a student to be enrolled at the school he or she must attain 420 marks and over. Although there are many other secondary schools in Region Two, many persons opt to attend this school because of its track record. The school attracts students from as far as Pomeroon, Bartica, Wakenaam and Leguan, who are housed at the dormitory.

When asked the reason behind the school’s performance the headmaster said it is the staff that make it happen. “I try to motivate my staff and students by conducting regular clinical supervisions. I personally do home visits. I encourage my staff to work hard. I have a good relationship with the PTA [and the] Ministry of Education and I ensure that students complete their SBAs and they must be done of good quality,” he said.

Mathematics teacher, Rabinauth Boodram, said that he is elated with the school’s performance and credited its success to the team of hard-working teachers. He said extra lessons for the school are optional but teachers ensure that the school’s syllabus is completed in preparation for the examinations. Career guidance talks are also done regularly with students. The school also ensures that constant follow-ups are done with past students. Thus far, the school has produced lawyers, businessmen and women, lecturers, judges and chemists.

Teachers at the school express their hope that the school’s playfield would be upgraded so

that children can have more recreation and balance in their academic routine. They also hope that past students would return and contribute meaningfully to the school, especially during graduation season.

The Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School is the oldest of seven schools on the Essequibo Coast. It is a Grade A school that comes under the direct supervision of the Department of Education and also provides a live-in facility for students. The school officially began its operation on Monday, May 8, 1961 and has thus far had 14 headteachers – first being Sir E. W. London.