-attributes success to balance between ‘play’ and schoolwork

By Naomi Parris
PREPARING for a big examination can sometimes be nerve-wrecking, especially if it is one that may determine your next move towards a successful adulthood.
Adding to the anxieties, students in Guyana, across the Caribbean and around the world were forced to sit major examinations during a global pandemic.
However, for 17-year-old Conway Elliman, the COVID-19 pandemic was the least of his worries when he was preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

The DC Caesar Fox Secondary student overcame many challenges and obtained three Grade Ones, five Grade Twos and one Grade Three. He was dubbed the valedictorian of his school and plans to pursue a career in the field of computer technology.

Elliman, who was born into the Arekuna tribe and hails from Paruima, an Amerindian settlement located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was awarded with a hinterland scholarship in 2015 following his success at that year’s sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).
“When I excelled at the [National] Grade Six Assessment in 2015 I felt as though this was a great accomplishment and being awarded a hinterland scholarship was exciting,” he related.
The excitement of starting a new school in the city wore off when Elliman became home sick. Due to the lack of funds, he had to return to home to continue his studies.
“During the five years I was able to attend three schools which were Christ Church Secondary in Georgetown, Pariuma Mission Academy in my home village and DC Caesar Fox Secondary [at] Waramadong,” he said.

Elliman recalled the challenges he endured while pursuing his secondary education.
“Life in secondary school was not easy. It was challenging because I wasn’t close to home at most times, and, when it came to financial aid, it was a struggle for me because the resources that I needed to study were not enough.”
These challenges became even more burdensome, when schools across the country were abruptly closed to limit the spread of the virus.
During this time, teachers had to introduce their students to e-learning (electronic learning) utilizing a variety of online platforms.

TREMENDOUS SUPPORT
In Elliman’s case, the limited access to the internet resulted in him having to attend school in a nearby village in order to complete his secondary education.
“During the pandemic we had to be six feet apart from each other and avoid close contact with the people from the district, and also we were restricted from attending classes, everyday, which had a negative effect on learning,” the young man said.

Nevertheless, he noted that the tremendous support and love he received from his family and fellow classmates kept him going even on the days when he felt like giving up.
“When I received my preliminary results I felt like this would give my family a good name as well as myself and also the village, because it has been a while since Paruima has really reached to the top.”

The young man is happy that he decided to complete his education despite the fears surrounding COVID-19.
“It was not an easy decision to go back and complete my secondary education because of the coronavirus that everyone is afraid of … but after I attained my results, I plan to work in my field of interest,” he said.

Elliman, who is a believer of the proverb “All work and no play makes jack a dull boy,” disclosed that extra-curricula activities, like sporting events also contributed to his success in the examinations.

“I would like to urge young indigenous people to take up interest in sports since work with no play doesn’t get you anywhere and we also need to know how to balance those too.”