Guyana cops top CSEC, CAPE awards

Education Minister Priya Manickchand pose for a photo with Guyana’s top CSEC/ CAPE awardees

The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) on Thursday awarded top students of the 2020 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

Copping the top overall performance at CSEC is Bhedesh Persaud of Queen’s College, Guyana with 22 Grade Ones and 1 Grade Two. He also copped the best science student award.

He was presented with a Plaque by Education Minister Priya Manickchand during a live awards ceremony. Persaud is also awarded a scholarship to the University of the West Indies.

Anthony Sukra got the most outstanding CSEC award in Technical and Vocational Studies. Sukra attended the New Amsterdam Secondary School.

At CAPE, Zane Ramotar of Queen’s College copped the most outstanding award in Natural Sciences. He was presented with his award by Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson.

Ramotar in brief remarks noted that “despite the trials and tribulations brought about due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we as a region has done our best in overcoming our bad days and succeeding in all our endeavours.”

He thanked to CXC for moving ahead with the ceremony despite the challenges but did not stop short of urging the body to ensure there is no repeat of mix-ups with grades which occurred with the 2020 examination results.

Ramotar referred to the need for a review of several subjects which inevitably delayed the announcement of the results of the examinations.

Principal of Queen’s College, Jackie Benn during the ceremony pointed out that this is the seventh year since the school has copped the top awards.

In his remarks early on, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer at Caribbean Examinations Council, Wayne Wesley urged the students to continue on their current path.

 “You have shown a resilience that you may not have even known was within you and you will see the fruits of your efforts,” he said.

Wesley noted that 94.96% of the region’s students achieved acceptable grades at the 2020 examinations; an improvement from 2018 and 2019.

He spoke of several plans to transform the way in which education is delivered to include e-marking, e-testing and the issuance of e-certificates as “the days of talk and chalk” are no more.

Chairman of CXC, Sir Hillary Beckles in his remarks encouraged the top students to return to contribute to the region after their studies.

“You have persevered, you have overcome and we look forward to your future journeys…remain focus, remain steadfast. Always recognise that while we have invested in you, you must also invest in us,” he told those awarded.

The ceremony was also addressed by Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne while congratulatory messages were also issued by Prof. Paloma Mohamed, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana and Registrat, Dr. Nigel Gravesande among others