TOP performers at the 2019 CSEC and CAPE examinations were recognised at the annual Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) Regional Award Ceremony held in Grenada on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Several Guyanese students received awards for their outstanding performances during the sitting of this year’s examinations, including Riana Toney, Michael Bopaul, Samuel Haynes and Brianna Gopie.

Riana Toney, student of the Anna Regina Secondary School, secured the Region’s top CSEC prize, Most Outstanding Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student; Michael Bhopaul was awarded the Region’s most prestigious CAPE award (Most Outstanding Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) student)for his academic consistency; and Bhopaul copped the Dennis Irvine Award, which is also given to the Region’s top CAPE student.

Riana Toney who spoke at the ceremony encouraged her fellow students to reach for the stars, saying, “Continue working hard, set your goals and stop at no cost to transform them into reality,” the soft spoken young lady urged.

Further, she expressed to the students that success demands sacrifice which they all must be willing to continue to make as they venture into the world of work. The Region Two (2) resident used the forum to express gratitude to her parents, teachers and colleagues for aiding her success.

Samuel Haynes of Queens College won the award for the Region’s top Science Student; Haynes gained 18 Grade Ones at CSEC in: Agricultural Science, Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, Economics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM), Physical Education and Sport, Human and Social Biology, and Additional Mathematics.

Another student of Queens College Brianna Gopie copped the title of the Region’s top Business student. Gopie secured 16 Grade Ones at CSEC in: Economics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, Additional Mathematics, and Food and Nutrition and Health.

The Most Outstanding CSEC student Riana Toney secured 19 Grade Ones in: Agricultural Science, Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, English A, English B, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Business, Religious Education, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, and Human and Social Biology.

Michael Bhopaul, the Most Outstanding CAPE student, secured 16 Grade Ones at CAPE in: Applied Mathematics Units 1 and 2, Biology Unit 1 and 2, Caribbean Studies, Chemistry Unit 1 and 2, Communication Studies, French, Units 1 and 2, Integrated Mathematics, Physics, Units One and Two, Pure Mathematics Unit One and Two and Spanish, Unit 1.
Queens College was adjudged by CXC as the best CAPE school in the Region. This institution has been churning out a number of notable Guyanese who have served or continue to serve their country.

This year’s outstanding performances by students who sat the CSEC examinations reflected in a 73 per cent overall pass rate in grades one to three; this is the highest-ever pass rate in Guyana’s history; last year’s pass rate was 69.1 per cent.