QC duo vying for CXC top spot
Two Queen's College (QC) students are in contention for the top place in this year's Caribbean Examinations Council's (CXC) results for this year. Amlata Persaud, 16, and her classmate Kevin Persaud, 16, both obtained 11 grade ones in the subjects they wrote at the May/June regional examinations. QC's overall performance has improved as the two students are among 13 who gained over seven grade ones; last year, seven QC students gained over seven grade ones. Stabroek News learnt, too, that there were ten students who gained over ten subjects with grades one and two passes. QC is to release its results to the media tomorrow. Amlata, who was the top Secondary Schools Entrance Examinations (SSEE) student for Stella Maris Primary five years ago, obtained a double award in Agricultural Science in addition to English Language and Literature, French, Spanish, Mathematics, History, Geography, Social Studies and Integrated Science. Kevin's passes were a double award in Agricultural Science along with Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language and Literature, Geography, Spanish, French and Mathematics. Surrounded by her excited family, Amlata told Stabroek News that though she expected to pass the subjects she had not been that optimistic about doing so well. She said that her favourite subject was Agricultural Science, despite her interest in the arts, and she was granted permission to write the subject which is in the science stream. She also "loves" English Literature and French. She described her french teacher Maureen McGowan as "excellent" Amlata said she functions well under pressure and noted that she worked better in the night which was why her parents did not think she was studying. Her father, attorney-at-law Vidyanand Persaud, mother Dia and sisters were elated. Amlata praised her mother for being "chef, chauffeur and teacher among other things" to her and her siblings. Amlata's hobbies include playing badminton, table tennis and the piano and she may either pursue A-level studies or enter the University of Guyana. She is interested in a career in politics and exhorts her fellow youth to "pursue their dreams, they will come true." Kevin described himself as "absolutely stunned" by his results. He said he expected to do well despite the lack of teachers in some subjects. He said that his Agricultural Science teacher left for Botswana and the students formed themselves into a group and taught themselves. He expressed thanks to his Biology teacher Deborah Hamilton and Deputy Headmistress Clare Blake who stepped in to teach English. Kevin, also a former Stella Maris pupil, described his studies as disciplined and like Amlata was a "night owl". He is an only child and said his parents were very helpful with research. He thanked his grandmother for praying for him. His father, Vernon, a former general manager of Guyana Stockfeeds Ltd and his mother, Patricia, a private accountant also worked with him. Kevin has already decided on a career in medicine. He hopes to attend an overseas university and major in cardiology. Right now he is taking a few months off swimming and playing tennis and surfing the internet which he says helped him in his studies. His message to young people is "that even though books might seem a drag, knowledge is the key." Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has informed this newspaper that the results of the top students will be released either today or tomorrow. And in relation to the security breach of the Mathematics Two paper, Stabroek News was informed that several students were disqualified from the examinations. In addition, one person was dismissed from the ministry's Examinations Division on account of the breach.
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