Queen’s College is aiming to secure all eight top awards for both CSEC and CAPE in the approaching examinations – a bar that has been set high after its students topped both levels for two consecutive years.
Acting Head Teacher of QC, Candaice Cave-Stephen
For both 2020 and 2021, QC would have produced the Most Outstanding Student for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) – a historic record for the country. Labelled as Guyana’s premier secondary institution, it was also awarded the title of School of the Year for the region.
On Friday, a celebratory exercise was organised at the institution to recognise this achievement, where acting Head Teacher, Candaice Cave-Stephen underscored that the performance can be improved. The agenda has already been set to acquire all eight awards at the CXC level.
Queen’s College in full celebration mode on Friday
“It is the first time we’ve ever had the most outstanding candidate at both levels. Usually, Queen’s College would get either CSEC or CAPE but we have gotten both levels and more than that, in two consecutive years…It is something historic for us, the fact that we have gotten both in two years and it means a great lot to us.”
The principal shared, “We will continue to do what we have been doing and there is always room for improvement. The administration has to improve…We intend to continue that good work and improve it. Our aim right now is to get more of the awards. Of the eight awards at the CAPE, CSEC level, it is our intention to cop all eight. We’ve never done that.”
Education Minister Priya Manickchand pointed out that delivering education successfully entails a multi-faceted approach, starting from Government to the household level.
“Education is one of those topics that will never be a one-person, who makes a student successful. You have to have a responsive Government who sees the importance of investing in education. You have to have a well-managed school and teachers who are very dedicated and willing to teach. You have to have a supportive household and children who are interested in receiving the education given,” Manickchand said.
According to her, Government is fulfilling its contribution to the sector, with the supply of adequate human resources, equipment and technology throughout public schools.
“This system is at a place right now where all we have to do is commit ourselves to making our children’s lives better. In doing that, I’m certain we are going to be able to realise for every single child in this College and Guyana, their very best potential.”
The Education Ministry is also working to equalise the playing field at the secondary level, eliminating any disadvantage which currently exists in excelling in the examination.
“I want you to know that they have some schools coming for you. This is not going to be easy because when we equalise services across the country and we give schools everything that they need, then you’re going to have to work a little bit harder,” the Minister told students.
For the 2021 examinations, Samuel Haynes received the Overall Outstanding Achievement after securing nine Grade Ones at CAPE. Overall Outstanding Achievement at the CSEC level was awarded to Zaynab Shaffie, who secured 18 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos.
At the CSEC level, Roshni Samaroo of Queen’s College won the top Humanities Award, Naresh Jagnanan of the Essequibo Islands Secondary School won the top Business Award, and Sarena Razak of Queen’s College won the top Technical Vocational Education Award.
Among other Caribbean students of the ACCA CSEC Accounting Awards, Riley Nurse of Queen’s College and Saalih Rahim of the ISA Islamic School were recipients. Other CAPE awards included Crystal Benjamin of The Bishops’ High School securing third place in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) CAPE Accounting Awards, and Abdul Subhan of the St Stanislaus College copping the CAPE History Award. (G12)
