-Region Two Chairperson tells top CSEC performers 

THE Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC), in collaboration with the Department of Education, on Wednesday, recognised the efforts of the region’s top three Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) students at a special award ceremony.

Those honoured were Seurattan, who topped the region and secured the second spot for the country with 19 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos; Swasti Saytoo, whose 18 Grade Ones and 3 Grade Twos placed her at number two in the region and third in the country and Tabitha Alves who came in third in the region and 10th in the country with 16 Grade Ones and 4 Grade Twos.

Seurattan of Cullen, and Saytoo of Zorg, are former students of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS), while Alves of Queenstown Village, formerly attended the Abram Zuil Secondary School.

At a simple award ceremony held in the RDC boardroom, the trio received awards in the form of plaques and trophies, compliments of the RDC and Adamantium Holdings Inc/Alfro Alphonso. A cash award was also presented by Adamantium Holdings Inc to each of the top performers.

Regional Education Officer, Nichola Matthews, in her remarks, said despite the pandemic, the region was able to excel. She said the Department of Education is extremely elated and proud of the students’ performance at the 2020 sitting of the regional examination.

Matthews noted that 2020 will be a year that will remain in the minds of all Guyanese for many reasons. She said that to date the department is still struggling to ensure that the curriculum is effectively delivered to all learners. She said the pandemic has drastically changed the structure of education delivery and the Ministry of Education is now forced to use Google Classroom, WhatsApp and other means to ensure that the learners are actively involved in learning.

Giving a comparative analysis of the region’s CSEC results over the past four years, Matthews said that in 2016, the matriculation rate was 33 per cent; in 2017, it was 33.3 per cent; in 2018 it was 59.8 per cent; in 2019, it was 50 per cent; and in 2020, it was 56 per cent. This, she said, is evidence that despite the presence of the deadly virus, the region managed to record growth at the examination. She also used the opportunity to thank the parents for helping the students during their studies.

Meanwhile, Chairperson Vilma De Silva noted that the day was historic for the region. She encouraged the teens to remain focussed. Noting that she is passionate about women and male development in Guyana, De Silva encouraged them to pursue their dreams and to further their studies. She extended congratulatory messages to them on behalf of the RDC.

Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit, during his brief remarks, congratulated the top performers, and later, their parents for helping to “mould them”. Oodit, like the chairperson, encouraged them to pursue their dreams and to continue to further their education. He noted that the government is investing heavily to ensure that the children throughout Guyana get an education.

Seurattan extended gratitude to the regional administration and the Department of Education for recognising their efforts. She also took the opportunity to thank her family for supporting her throughout her studies. She said that her success at the examination is one of her many achievements.