TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Shreya Pratima Ramnarine of the C V Nunes Primary is the top performer for Region Two at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Ramnarine, a resident of Anna Regina Housing Scheme, scored a total of 517 marks and was awarded a place at Queen’s College.

During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Ramnarine, who is the only child for her parents, said that she is aspiring to become a lawyer.

While attributing her success to self-study, she explained that studying during the pandemic was very challenging but she remained focused.

Her parents Ravindra and Lalina Ramnarine said they are very satisfied with their daughter’s performance. Ravindra is a rice farmer and Lalina is Head of the English Department at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS).

Lalina told this publication that she knew her daughter would perform well at the examinations. The mother said that her daughter works well without much parental interference and she is truly self-motivated.

“My daughter worked on the ministry’s past papers and worksheets, did studies from her textbooks with her parents’ help at times and in her spare time read a lot of novels…never attended any extra lessons,” she added.

Ramnarine thanked her parents for their support and the teachers at the C V Nunes Primary.

Bhavin Griffith of Huist Diren Primary School, took the second spot with 516 marks which earned him a place at Queen’s College.

Griffith, an aspiring lawyer, told this publication that studying during the pandemic was very difficult. He used the opportunity to thank all those who supported him, including his parents Delroy and Malika Griffith and his uncle Sunil Singh, who spent sleepless nights with him.

He is therefore encouraging other pupils to ensure that they stay focused and to do self- study.

Occupying the third spot is 12-year-old Aaisha Mohammed of Al Madinah Islamic School. She gained 510 marks and was awarded a spot at Queen’s College.

Mohammed said she did not expect to do so well, given the absence of face-to-face learning. She said she is proud of herself and wants to give praise to Allah.

She said she owes her gratitude to her grandmother Twahiroon Mohamed and her grandfather who helped her to study. She also thanked her father Saeed Zameer Mohammed for his support.

Jessica Inniss of Fisher Primary School shared the third spot with Mohammed and was also awarded a place at Queen’s College. Inniss was very happy and thanked her parents for their support. Inniss said that studying during the pandemic was very challenging, but she said she kept her focus and with self- study and extra lessons she excelled. She is aspiring to become a doctor.

Other pupils who performed well in the region are Lukesh Deonarine of Taymonth Manor Primary; Karisham Dhanoopdarie of C V Nunes Primary; Esaara Persaud of C V Nunes Primary; Kaysheena Singh of Taymouth Manor Primary and Nishanna Dial of Huist Diren Primary.

Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer Nichola Matthews, extended congratulations to all the pupils in the region and said that despite the pandemic, the pupils have made the Department of Education proud.

Matthews said she is happy with the region’s results and she used the opportunity to thank all the teachers and parents who worked with their children during the pandemic to ensure that they excelled.