ARMS tops CSEC for 2nd consecutive year, with 27 subjects for Alex Muntaz

– QC’s Naresh Jagnanan tops with 10 subjects at CAPE

Alex Muntaz of the Anna Regina Multilateral School (ARMS) has clinched 23 Grade Ones and Four Grade Twos at the 2023 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, thus marking the second consecutive year that that school has topped the examinations.
The highly-anticipated results were announced by Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Thursday. The ranking was based on preliminary results of the highest number of Grade Ones, since the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has set various criteria for naming the overall top performer.
Smiling as their names were called, it was, for many, proof that their sacrifices had paid off.
Speaking with Guyana Times just after the results were made public, an elated Muntaz expressed, “I’m very overwhelmed [and] excited! It’s a little nerve-racking.”
For him, securing a scholarship to study in either the medical field or engineering field is one of his greatest aspirations, after having wrapped up this phase of his educational journey with flying colours.
Coming in second was Verendra Dookie of Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) with 19 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. Having been a top performer at the 2018 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), the young man told this publication, “I am very surprised, but very happy as well, to get the results that I did. I am very grateful for my parents’ support, as well as the entire school.”
Suriya Walcott of Anna Regina Secondary secured 18 Grade Ones, six Grade Twos and one Grade Three. She was not present to share on her outstanding achievement.
In fourth was Kuntie Singh of Abraham Zuil Secondary School, who copped 18 Grade Ones and five Grade Twos.
Murizio Mangra, also of Anna Regina Multilateral School, placed fifth with 17 Grade Ones and 10 Grade Twos; while the sixth position was taken by Arthur Roberts of Queen’s College with 17 Grade Ones, five Grade Twos, and one Grade Three. While noting his disappointment at not nailing the top spot, Roberts said he is ‘satisfied’ with the overall outcome.
Mariah Sookram of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan took the seventh position, having achieved 17 Grade Ones, three Grade Twos and one Grade Three. She disclosed, “Right now, I am feeling very proud of myself for achieving what I did. I would like to give thanks to God for giving me faith, and my parents and teachers for putting in the hard work.”
Coming in eighth and ninth places respectively were Queen’s College students Nailah Rahaman, with 17 Grade Ones, two Grade Twos and three Grade Threes; and Tashmee Ganesh, with 17 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos.
In tenth position was Noah Persaud, with 17 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos.
For 2023, some 4,088 students wrote eight or more subjects; 24 secured 12 Grade Ones or more. The Education Minister, while announcing the results, cautioned that these results are preliminary, and secondly, the top performer will be officially named at a later time.
“We arrived at these based on the number of Grade Ones the student got…I don’t have the jurisdiction to announce the top students for the country or region,” she noted.
Students of Anna Regina Secondary School had last year dominated the top three spots at CSEC, and the school has repeated that feat this year. According to Minister Manickchand, the school is performing outstandingly at CSEC when compared to national schools.
She noted, “We don’t see the same quality existing at an academic level as we are seeing at Anna Regina Secondary School. I’m saying to all the teachers here, ‘Take many bows; we are very proud of you. We think you are a shining example of what good schools should look like’.”

CAPE top performers
This year, Queen’s College has again scored the highest number of Grade Ones at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), and has also swept four of the five top spots.
Naresh Jagnanan of Queen’s College came in the top position with nine Grade Ones and one Grade Two. A beaming Jagnanan shared, “I must say I’m very elated to receive this marvelous news, but it’s a very humbling feeling as well to know that all the hard work and sacrifices that I would have invested have paid off. Also, it warms my heart that God is listening, because this is something that I prayed for.”
Jagnanan was followed by Joshua Gulab of Queen’s College, who secured eight Grade Ones, three Grade Twos and two Grade Threes. Gulab has labelled the moment ‘bittersweet’, since there were some errors with the subjects and grades announced.
“I trust that the Ministry will get those grades and things sorted out, but at the moment, I’m pretty happy with the outcome,” Gulab added.
Cleon Jardine of St Stanislaus College secured seven Grade Ones and two Grade Twos. This young man, who hails from Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, is still surprised at his performance.
“I did not expect all of this. When I got the phone call I was surprised, but overall, the hard work and perseverance has paid off,” he said.
Divya Nandlall of Queen’s College copped seven Grade Ones and one Grade Two. In fifth place was Zayden Ramotar of Queen’s College, who secured six Grade Ones and four Grade Twos. During an interview with <<Guyana Times,>> Ramotar said he is ‘ecstatic’, and gave credit to his family and teachers for their input. (Rupa Seenaraine)