VISIBLY elated by their accomplishments, the top regional and national performers of the National Grade Six (NGSA) examination were honoured by the Ministry of Education at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday.

Securing her status as Guyana’s top performer for 2024, Alisha Scheller of Success Elementary School scored 503.34 points and was awarded a place at Queen’s College. Alisha’s sister, who accepted tokens on her behalf, explained that the NGSA scholar is currently on vacation and was unable to attend the ceremony.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the top performer for Georgetown and the second-top pupil for the country, Kaiya Daniels of Green Acres Primary School, explained that while she is excited that her dream of going to Queen’s College has come through, she is also grateful for all those who contributed to her success.

According to Kaiya, “I have always wanted to make my family and myself proud. I was in disbelief and shock when I got the news. I didn’t really expect to be in the top 10, because there are a lot of smart children in this generation. I am an only child, and I had to sacrifice a lot of leisure time. I studied for long hours and went to lessons from Monday to Saturday and sometimes even on Sundays.”

While expressing her gratitude to Miss Revon, Miss Reid, Gifted Academy, and the other “amazing teachers” for believing in her and contributing to her success at the NGSA, Kaiya extended special thanks to her mother for motivating her to always be her best.

“I had some amazing teachers. I want to say thank you to my mother, who motivated me to continue studying and not give up.”

Speaking to her peers who will be sitting the NGSA examination in 2025, Kaiya asked that they stay focused, do not give up, and know that studying is just for a period of time and not forever. “As long as you study hard enough, you will get to your goal,” Kaiya related.

Also expressing her emotions to this publication and to her daughter, Kaiya’s mother said: “I am a single mother, but Kaiya’s father is present in her life. As Kaiya’s mother, I am so elated that my daughter was able to reach this milestone. Like she said, she studied really hard; our dream was never about being in the top 10, it was just to accomplish her goal of going to Queen’s College. She never had a number two school. I am super proud of her for topping Georgetown and second overall. Congratulations to you, Kaiya. I am so proud of you.”

Additionally, Zephon Sobers, the top performer from Mabaruma Primary School in Region One who gained a position at Queen’s College with 495.48 points, told this publication that he was “very proud” of himself after receiving the news of his achievements.

Zephon said, “I was very proud of myself when I heard the news that I got a place at Queen’s College. My mom and dad were excited, and they were proud of me too. I made sure I studied two hours every day, and I also had extra lessons.

“I want to tell the other children who have to write the exams next year to work hard, read a lot, and focus on their schoolwork.”

Zephon also added that even though he does not live on the coast, he was “determined” to get a school in Georgetown because he wants to “continue to do well in my studies.”

Meanwhile, the NGSA’s best short story writer, Skylar Gopal, from Mae’s under-12 Primary, who secured a place at Queens College as well as the number four spot in the country, explained that she was happy that her name was called in the top 10. She also noted that her parents and her teachers played a “great” role in her getting to this level.

According to Skylar’s mother, “I am very proud of Skylar, she worked very hard. I cannot say that I was surprised that she got Queen’s College. She was always a hard worker and did well in school.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, congratulated and acknowledged the 15,285 pupils who sat the NGSA examination on May 2 and 3 his year.