`I am a patriot' -says Berbice's top CXC student By Daniel DaCosta Stabroek News September 30, 1998 While many young Guyanese still continue to aspire to migrate one day, Berbice's number one CXC student, petite 16-year-old Nadeen Singh, of Bush Lot Village on the Corentyne, proudly maintains: "I am a patriot who will remain and serve my country." Such unequivocal commitment at such a tender age is a strong indication that all is not yet lost for the future of our nation. The former Central Corentyne Secondary school student secured passes in eight subjects at the recent examinations with seven grade ones and one grade three. According to Nadeen "it was the perfect birthday gift since I learnt of my results from my mother on my 16th birthday, September 4." What was her reaction to learning of her performance? "... At first it was disbelief since I did not expect to do so well because most of the subjects were hard. However, as it sank in, I was very elated and happy." The only girl among four brothers, the region's best student obtained grade ones in English (A), Mathematics, Social Studies, Caribbean History, Geography, Biology and Integrated Science. Her grade three pass was secured in Principles of Accounts. Nadeen's performance takes on added significance because of the fact that she was literally forced to burn the midnight oil throughout her preparations because of the unavailability of electricity in her village - Bush Lot. According to Nadeen, her family received electricity in their home until 8:30 pm from a neighbour's generator. "I was therefore forced to study with a lamp from around 9:00 pm to 1:00 am or 2:00 am, she disclosed and attributed her success to "hard work, discipline" and assistance from her teachers, parents and her brothers. In an interview last week with Stabroek News, the 16-year-old disclosed that her form mistress and English teacher, Pamela Rose, had predicted that "the region's top student would have come from 5 Science... my class at school." Nadeen said, her preparations were seriously affected one year before exams when "I had to take up four new subjects... Caribbean History, Principles of Accounts, Social Studies and Integrated Science. Apart from this, we had a problem with a Mathematics teacher and only secured a full-time one in February." She expressed concern over the shortage of trained teachers particularly for science subjects and under-equipped laboratories saying "generally schools in the region are in need of better facilities." Touching on her future, the diminutive Berbician student who last week completed a six-week-long Intermediate Word Perfect course at Solomon's Computer Training Centre at Port Mourant, said "I plan to enrol next year at the University of Guyana (UG) to undertake studies in law." One of her brothers is a second-year law student at the university while another is a part-time student there. Her mother this year enrolled in the University's Diploma in Education Programme. The region's top student's advice to young students and particularly those preparing for CXC exams is: "You should have a disciplined approach to your studies, have a schedule for studying and stick to your schedule. You must have an inquisitive mind for learning." Nadeen hopes to be allowed to teach at her alma mater until next year when she will move to UG, having already submitted an application to the Ministry of Education.