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CXC, CAPE scholars

By Rupadai Seenaraine

Aadilah Ali and her younger brother Areeb Ali share what their parents term a ‘normal’ sibling relationship; and when it comes to their studies, they are always willing to assist each other.
This was the position shared by the parents of the top performers Areefa and Shabeer Ali during an interview with the Guyana Times. Aadilah has been named as the top performer at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), while Areeb was among the top five candidates in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this year.
Speaking on the performances of the young scholars, their mother Areefa Ali indicated that, while growing up, there was a touch of sibling rivalry that prompted one of them to reach the other one. However, she explained that they were both very consistent in their studies from a very young age.
“Their relationship is just like any other brother and sister. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s not so good, but one would always help the other whenever they need it. My daughter was older, so she would always help in whatever way she could. I think both of them were very consistent in their studies,” their father, Shabeer Ali asserted.

Hailing from the West Bank of Demerara, the siblings were born two years apart, and both of them attended the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary. They both gained entrance to Queen’s College after writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). Nevertheless, Shabeer and Areefa explained that there were never any expectations. Their children were given the encouragement and support that was needed for them to exceed. When they entered into high school, the competition of excelling pushed them further to perform to the best of their abilities.
“Earlier, there was a bit of competition because they were two years apart. When one of them got Queen’s College, I think that set the pace for the other one to try to get there. Growing up, I don’t think we had any expectations. We just let them do what they were capable of doing,” said their mother Areefa.
She added, “We didn’t do anything extra special. Everything had to do with their determination. That determined if they would do well or not. I think when they were exposed to others and there was competition to do well, that gave them the additional urge and motivation to do well.”
Areefa also gave a little insight on some of the preparations they would’ve made to ensure that a good educational foundation was laid. This ensured that they complete their academic work and also allowed them to interact with their peers.
“In primary school, leading up to exams, we used to go over the work. That’s how we studied. We would not do it by term, but start from the beginning; and that’s how I grow them coming right up. In high school, it was much more relaxing as in studying. We weren’t really behind them to study, but what I do know is that in secondary school we would just ensure that they do their work.”
According to the parents, motivation and commitment are the driving forces behind their children’s success. “Blessed” is the word they use to describe themselves for being parents to the outstanding performers.
They noted that over the years, spending quality family time had always been difficult with all of the academic and work-related activities, but they would spend time when everyone is together.
“I think every child develops in their own way. We’re blessed to have them to have really motivated themselves to do well. In the past couple of years, it has been difficult to try to find a specific time to spend together as a family, but we would always do so wherever we could,” said Shabeer.
“Most Saturday and Sunday, when they were home from school and after classes, then we would spend more time. We weren’t having a lot of special moments during the last couple of years,” Areefa explained.
Aadilah acquired eight grade ones at CAPE while Areeb secured 17 grade ones, three grade twos and one grade three at the CSEC examination.
While she expressed astonishment at her performance, Areeb was expecting to do better.
Eighteen-year-old Aadilah told this publication, “I feel relieved. I didn’t expect to do this amazing.”