Let this not be a defining moment but inspiration for your future – Pres Ali tells NGSA students the improved performance shows Govt investments are working

As more than 15,000 students who wrote the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) this year received their results on Wednesday, President Irfaan Ali says it’s a time to celebrate each child’s accomplishment and reassure those who are disappointed.

During an address to students, parents and teachers alike, the Head of State reminded that these children are very young with their whole lives ahead of them. He noted that this is just one examination in the early stages of their lives and should not be used to determine their futures.
Specifically addressing parents, he encouraged them to set aside personal expectations and nurture their children, telling them of life’s moments of accomplishment and disappointment.
“At 11 and 12, I implore you not to pressure our children into believing that this is the most defining moment of their lives. These are young kids. These are kids still blooming in their very, very early stages and in their very early journey of life. It is at this moment that together, we have to reassure all our children, those who did exceptionally well and those who may not have done as well as they would have liked,” he advised.
According to the Guyanese leader, giving assurance to children at such an early stage of their development prepares them and could even inspire them to perform better in the future.
“We, as parents, teachers, and elders, must not use this moment to make our children believe that this is that separation moment or defining moment. This is just one of those phases in life, and the continuum of life that lies ahead of our children is that important phase. That important phase now of growing into teenagers, growing into the period through which their future aspirations will be more defined.”
“Some of our children would want to be technical people. Nothing is wrong with that. Some of our children will want to go on into different fields. Let this not be that moment of disappointment. Let this moment, as our children receive their results, be that moment of inspiration when we take our responsibility as parents, elders, motivators, and teachers to that next phase of development in these children’s lives,” he implored.
President Ali went on to congratulate those who performed exceptionally well at this year’s NGSA examination.
With a total of 15,497 pupils sitting at this year’s NGSA, Guyana recorded its best overall performance, with the pass rate moving from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
The results were announced on Wednesday, where Tanasha Destiny Hope Myers of the Academy of Excellence was named this year’s top-performing NGSA student.
She achieved a perfect score of 487.88 marks – something that has only happened once before in 2018 when then top student Nalia Rahaman scored a perfect 529 marks.

Ensuring quality education for all
While some students may be disappointed with their scores and school placements, the Head of State assured that his government will continue to work to ensure that there is a level playing field at the schools across Guyana.
“We as a government are going to invest to ensure that the quality of education at the best school in your head is the same quality that is at every school across our country. So, you can have access to the same labs, the same technical education, the same quality of teaching, and the same quality of learning material so that this journey would be supported by policies and initiatives that give you that level of equity,” he stressed.
Nevertheless, President Ali expressed satisfaction with this year’s tremendous improvement in every subject area – something that he says is reflective of the fact that the government investments in education delivery are working.
“It tells you that our investment is giving the results we want. It tells you that our capability and capacity are improving… I want all of you to know that you are equally loved. I want all of you to know that all of you equally have an important stake in this future of our country. This is not that defining moment. You are young children, still experiencing the beauty and fullness of life. You’re still young children, and I want you to know that as your president, I am so proud of all of you. I want all of you to recommit yourselves, to recommit yourselves to doing the best you can do for yourself, to be the best you can be for yourself.”
In 2025, the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration had set aside a whopping 175 billion for the education sector in Guyana – a significant increase from the $100.5 billion allocated last year.