Cove and John Hindu College celebrates CXC high achievers

While the rest of the country focuses on the overall top performers at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) this year, Guyana Times was able to meet with several high achievers from the Cove and John Hindu College, East Coast Demerara.

The school’s principal Rajkumarie Singh explained that she was definitely proud of the College’s performance, since most of the children who were initially admitted, had barely attained over 400 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) in their time.

“Why I’m so proud of their performance is that most of the students, who are taken into the school, are not students who have high scores at the grade six exams. These are students who would have had just over 400 or sometimes below 300 marks and are sent to schools like Ann’s Grove Community High and so, but yet when these students come here and work for five years, they are able to come out successful,” she said.

After the announcement of this year’s Caribbean CSEC results, this publication met with eight high achievers from the Hindu College who spoke about the school’s impact on them academically as well as spiritually.

The school’s valedictorian, Sanjay Suvijuri wrote 10 subjects and obtained 7 Grade Ones and 3 Grade Twos. He told this publication that he was proud of his performance and credited it to his teachers and parents for their consistent support.

“For my five years at Hindu College, it has been great because I was able to develop not only in academics but also spiritually and morally, due to the discipline of the school. I’m satisfied with my grades because through hard work, the blessing from God and the support from parents and teachers, I was able to acquire this,” he explained.

Another student, Devendra Panday, who wrote 12 subjects, acquired 5 Grade Ones, 6 Grade Twos, and 1 Grade Three, and expressed gratitude to the teachers for their patience and support.

He said: “It is through the support and patience of my teachers, the financial support from my parents and the grace of God that I have obtained these grades and I am thankful.”

The school’s Principal revealed that this year’s pass rate stood at 94 per cent, which is one per cent lower than last year.

Despite this, she noted that there were many improvements in the different subject areas:

“Last year we had eight subjects with 100 per cent, this year we have nine subjects with 100 per cent, including English A. We have improvement in Office Administration with a 100 per cent this year.”

She further explained that, even though the Hindu College is considered only for children from the Hindu Community, children from all religions and ethnicity are welcome.

She also credited the students’ performance to the high levels of discipline exercised within the school; this is responsible for the students being “more focused”.

“The children that attend this school are taught to believe in themselves, to have a connection with the Divine. They are taught to pray, they are taught to rely on God and along with that, they have to exercise discipline. They are taught moral values as well as spiritual values as we try our best to make them rounded children,” Principal Singh added.

The Hindu College was established in 1957 by Swami Purnanandaand and has since made a significant difference in the lives of those who were considered ‘under achievers’.

The school not only charges nominal fees for students to attend, but it also provides sponsorship for those who may not be able to afford it.