WHEN 11-year-old Kayla Persaud received the news that she had earned a place at Queen’s College after achieving one of the country’s highest scores in the 2026 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), it marked the culmination of months of discipline, unwavering family support and the dedication of teachers determined to see every child succeed.

Kayla, a pupil of Windsor Forest Primary School, attained 484.52 marks—the highest score at her school, earning admission to the country’s premier secondary institution when the new academic year begins in September.

While the achievement places her among Guyana’s top-performing NGSA students, Kayla remains modest about the accomplishment, crediting consistent preparation and the encouragement she received both at home and in the classroom.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the soft-spoken pre-teen said success came through steady revision rather than last-minute preparation.

Along with reviewing class notes, she relied heavily on study materials provided by the Ministry of Education, worked through previous NGSA examination papers and regularly practised using the Guyana Chronicle’s NGSA past-paper booklets.

“I used the Ministry’s study resources, past papers and the newspapers to practise,” she said.

English has always been her favourite subject, while Mathematics proved to be the most demanding. Instead of allowing those challenges to discourage her, Kayla said her teachers and family continually motivated her to persevere.

“They always told me to keep working at it, and eventually I would solve the problems,” she recalled.

That advice became the foundation of her preparation.

Although she knew she had worked hard, Kayla admitted she was pleasantly surprised by her final score. She now hopes to continue that same level of commitment at Queen’s College, where she plans to maintain grades in the 90th percentile throughout her secondary education.

For her family, the achievement was both emotional and deeply rewarding.

Kayla’s mother, Eshwarie Persaud, who is also a teacher at Windsor Forest Primary School, vividly remembers receiving the telephone call inviting her to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre for the announcement of the country’s top performers.

“I knew that they only call those who did extremely well, so I knew she had done well,” she said.

The confirmation of Kayla’s outstanding performance sparked scenes of celebration at home.

“There were tears of joy from everyone,” Ms. Persaud said, recalling the emotional reactions of Kayla’s grandparents and other relatives who shared in the family’s pride.

While Kayla’s achievement reflects her own dedication, Windsor Forest Primary’s Head Teacher, Leela Inderdeo, believes it also demonstrates what can be accomplished when teachers, parents and pupils work together toward a common goal.

She explained that preparation for the NGSA extended well beyond the regular school timetable.

Teachers began classes from 8:15 a.m. each day, sacrificed lunch breaks and remained after school to provide additional lessons and subject-specific support.

“All of the teachers, including myself and the deputy head, worked with the Grade Six teachers. They went the extra mile,” Inderdeo said.

The school also embraced technology to strengthen learning, incorporating projectors, televisions, educational aids and other interactive teaching tools to assist pupils, particularly those who needed additional academic support.

According to the headteacher, the approach ensured that every child was given the opportunity to improve, regardless of their starting point.

She urged pupils to remain disciplined and consistent in their studies, noting that weaknesses can be overcome through sustained effort.

Inderdeo also appealed to parents to remain active partners in their children’s education by ensuring regular attendance and punctuality, describing parental involvement as one of the most important ingredients in academic success.

Kayla’s journey from Windsor Forest Primary to Queen’s College reflects more than individual achievement. It is a testament to what can be accomplished through persistence, supportive families, committed educators and a school community united by the belief that every child can excel when given the opportunity to succeed.