— minister of state tells Diamond Secondary School 2019 graduating class

MINISTER of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams, on Friday, charged the graduands of the Diamond Secondary School to pursue tertiary education so as to equip themselves with the skills needed for national development.

The minister was at the time addressing students who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination earlier this year.

The minister of state told the students that tertiary education would allow them to acquire the requisite skills, abilities and competencies to be competitive in today’s job market. She also urged them to pursue studies in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field.

“If you have a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), go for it because the future points towards STEM. Education and skills are critical to our economic development and to provide our youths with economic opportunities and better-paying jobs… Our government is committed to developing our education system to ensure Guyanese youths have the skills they need for the job market as we transform our economy,” she said.

Hastings-Williams also commended the teachers and parents of the graduands for supporting their academic endeavours, adding that they too share in their children’s success.

Meanwhile, Headteacher, Lesmeine Collins said that she was proud of the school’s performance at the recent CSEC sitting. She informed that 96.45 per cent of the students who wrote the exam attained Grades one to three.

Moreover, the class of 2019, she said, attained an impressive 100 per cent in Agricultural Science, Biology, Physics, Office Administration, Principles of Account and Principles of Business, Food and Nutrition, Caribbean History, Integrated Science, Family and Resource Management, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Information Technology, Office Administration, Physical Education and Sports and Visual Arts.

Valedictorian, Renesha Shiwbalak, urged the graduating class to remain faithful to the school’s longstanding philosophies, values and standards. She reminded her peers that they were ambassadors of the institution and she encouraged them to look enthusiastically towards the future and the achievement of their individual goals.

“We must put [in] our minds that Graduation Day is not the end. Instead [it is] the beginning, a stepping stone towards the new step of our lives. At this moment, we are embarking on the voyage of life… It is up to all of you to make a difference… Society is counting on you going forward and attaining excellence. The kind of excellence that will make your dream become a reality,” she said.

Minister, Hastings-Williams later presented Shiwbalak with the President’s Prize, which includes a laptop, a plaque, a certificate of achievement and a gift voucher valued $10,000. The school also received a plaque in recognition of its accomplishments.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Diamond Secondary School, Second Avenue Diamond, Georgetown.