IN an atmosphere of celebration, the Region Four Department of Education hosted its Annual Regional Award Ceremony for all the outstanding students for the year 2018.
The event was held under the theme, “Recognising and Celebrating Our Achievements” at the National Cultural Centre. Delivering opening remarks was the Regional Education Officer, Ms. Tiffany Harvey, who commended the staff of her department for making the activity a success. “We can do so little but together we can do so much, and team work can make the dream work’’ Harvey said.

She added that she has seen a lot of improvement over the year with the examination results in various schools, especially in English and mathematics , Harvey said “don’t matter how slow we go as long as we don’t stop”
Regional Chairman Ms. Genevieve Allen said ‘’We must continue to recognise the accomplishments of our children, pupils and students, in order to ensure the encouragement of our people, but most of all we must all be grateful for the teachers who put in the effort, spent most of their time working with these children to achieve their goals.’’

She further stated that for the year 2019, there will be a lot to celebrate, noting that they will commence the construction of the new Soesdyke Secondary School. Also, there will be extension at the Diamond-Grove School and at the Ann’s Grove Secondary School. “The Government values education in the regions and throughout the country” said Ms. Allen.
Special guest speaker, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, in his feature address delivered strong words of encouragement to the young awardees in attendance. “Sometimes we need to place more value on what we have to embrace, celebrate and motivate with the others who don’t have”.

Three of the top students who gained marks in excess of 500 at the NGSA and secured places at Queen’s College

For the pupils and students, trophies and plaques were given to the top performers for the National Grade Two Assessment, National Grade Four Assessment, National Grade Six Assessment (Top 10 in the Region), National Grade Nine Assessment, and Secondary Competency, and also for the most improved school for National Grade four and Grade two Assessment , Top five performers at the Caribbean Secondary Education(CSEC) Certificate , top five performers at the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination (CAPE) , and the National Athletics Championships 2018.

Retired head teachers and teachers were also recognised for their service, sterling contributions and dedication to the profession. Special awards were also given to outstanding private schools, special education needs, nursery field officers, education stalwarts and JOF Haynes Debating Competition regional winners.