By: Rupa Seenaraine
Three candidates have tied for the country’s top place at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) 2023 after the results were announced on Friday, signalling a new level of fierce competition at the examination.
Obtaining the highest mark of 506.7 out of a possible 507.7 were Glasford Archer of Leonora Primary School, Anaya Jagnandan of The New Guyana School, and Ritisha Gobin of the Academy of Excellence.
They were offered a place at the prestigious Queen’s College.
At the edge of their seats, the young students patiently waited as their performance was announced by Education Minister Manickchand at the Pegasus Suites Exhibition Centre. 
Beaming with pride and a sense of relief, young Glasford is aiming to become a businessman but he is also keen on learning new languages. When asked about his preparations, the lad shared that he used every chance to read and study. However, it was also underlined that having a study-leisure balance is also paramount.
“I used to be studying till around midnight and then I will be studying before I go to school. Even in class during my free time, I would be reading a book and then I would take some leisure time before I do it all over again… You should have equality in how much time you’re awake and how much time you sleep,” he expressed. 
Meanwhile, standing alongside other top students in the bracket, Ritisha told the media that she was “excited but nervous”.
A brave Anaya detailed that she wants to become an astronomist. Commenting on the exams, she relayed, “The exam wasn’t too easy nor too difficult. It was an average exam that you are preparing for your whole life…I would study, and do different quizzes and programmes online to help me build my skills.”
In fourth position were five students with 505.8 marks. They were Savanna McIntosh and Relance Marcus from Green Acres Primary School; and Aradhya Ramjag, Samara James, and Arianna Samad from Mae’s Under 12 Primary School.
Young Savanna noted that she was keen to do all of her homework and studied extensively. She added, “The pressure of knowing what secondary school you’re gonna get is gone so it is kind of a relief.”
For Arianna Samad, working with her parents helped her journey towards succeeding at the assessment.
“I feel pretty much elated and proud…I would read not just to brush through but read to remember it. I would work with my parents which also helped me. When I had nothing to do, I would take out a textbook and ready or do some exercises.”
Coming in ninth place with 505.7 marks were four students: Afeerah Ali of Chateau Margot Primary School, Reyad Baksh of Saraswat Primary School, Jada Pike of Winfer Gardens Primary School, and Rhea Jaiserrisingh of The New Guyana School.
Speaking with this publication, Baksh shared, “[The results] made me happy and proud. I had to do hard work to get into preparation. I want to get into an engineering profession, between mechanical and aeronautics. I saw people building robots and it kind of inspired me to build things.”
Regional performance
The cut-off marks were 499.2 for Queen’s College, 496.2 for the Bishops’ High School, 493.6 for St Stanislaus College, 490.7 for St Rose’s High School and 488 for St Joseph High School.
Regionally, Sashana Henry of Horsororo Primary School topped Region One (Barima-Waini) with 498.1 marks while Avron Doodnauth of Sparta Primary School secured the top spot for Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) with 503 marks.
A beaming Deonauth had advice for the upcoming cohort of Grade Six students. “Work hard, focus and most importantly, never give up,” he encouraged.
Topping for Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) was Diana Hariprashad of Cotton Tree Primary. Annalisa Siriram and Aaron Anamayah of Cropper Primary School along with Jade Archibald of St Therese’s Primary School topped Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with 502.9 marks each.
Aresia Cornelius of Karau Creek Primary scored 498.3 marks, the highest for Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Meanwhile, Ken Mark of Paramakatoi Primary School secured 489.3 marks and topped Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). However, it was not an easy feat, having to assist his family at their farm while simultaneously burning the midnight oil. Now, he has his eyes on becoming a surgeon and has big plans for his education.
“Although my family has been struggling a lot, I had to stay up very late at night trying to study…I said if I study, I would pass so I spent a couple of weeks studying and when the exams came, I was ready,” Mark stated.
The highest mark of 495.4 for Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was obtained by Makeda Johnson of St Ignatius Primary School.
Selah Erskine of Regma Primary School topped Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) with 504.8 marks.
Meanwhile, Claire Glasglow of The New Guyana School was awarded for the best short story while the best letter was produced by Rihanna Chapelle of Tuschen Primary School. Both girls were offered a place at Queen’s College.
