-boy living with disabilities also recognised

REGION Two’s top ten performers at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were, on Thursday, honoured by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

The annual award ceremony which was organised by the RDC in collaboration with the Department of Education, was held in the council’s boardroom.

Those honoured are Roshine Deonarine of Huist Diren Primary, Rithanya Narine of Suddie Primary, Belinda Mohan of C.V. Nunes Primary, Devanie Raghoobar of Aurora Primary, Demitri Deonarine of Charity Primary, Shaneka Narine of Fisher Primary, Matthew Mohabir of Abrams Creek Primary, Sareena Allen of Queenstown Primary, Manav Dwarka of Fisher Primary, and Chiranjeev Mohamed of Taymouth Manor Primary.

Jaden Haripershad of Jacklow Primary, who secured a spot at Anna Regina Secondary with 472.23 marks despite his medical issues, was also honoured. Haripershad who hails from the Pomeroon River, struggles with cerebral palsy, club feet, and esotropia, which has caused one eye to deviate inward towards the nose.

Deonarine topped the region with 502.19 marks, securing a place at Queen’s College.

The pupils received trophies, monetary prizes, and bicycles in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements.

Region Two Education Officer, Shondelle Hercules, stated that the ceremony which celebrated the pupils’ achievements, was also an acknowledgement of the hard work of teachers and parents.

She noted that the region has 38 primary schools and four annexes, with a total of 1,001 pupils taking the examinations this year.

Based on the results, the top-performing schools in Region Two were Abrams Creek Primary and Better Hope Primary, with pass rates of 81.76 per cent and 78.5 per cent, respectively.

Comparing results, Hercules noted that 46 pupils were placed in National Schools in 2023, while 38 were placed in those schools in 2024. Additionally, 306 pupils were placed in ‘List A’ schools in 2024, four per cent more than the 245 in 2023. The ‘List A’ schools in the region are Anna Regina Secondary and Abram Zuil Secondary School.

Further, the region saw a two per cent increase in the Mathematics performance and a 4 per cent increase in English Language. However, there was a 4 per cent decrease recorded for Science and a one percent increase in Social Studies.

Meanwhile, Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, congratulated the pupils and commended the parents for their support.

She emphasised the government’s investment in education to provide necessary resources for improved educational delivery.

De Silva said she was pleased with the performance of riverain communities and thanked the teachers for their guidance.