The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in Region Five recently hosted its 12th annual award ceremony to honor outstanding students in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) exams. The event took place on Saturday at the residence of Dereck Ramroop in Dundee Mahaicony and drew a gathering of proud students, parents, educators, and PPP representatives, all celebrating the academic achievements of the region’s top performers.
Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Vickram Bharrat, expressed gratitude to the PPP’s Region Five team for initiating and maintaining this ceremony, led by Member of Parliament Faizal Jafarally. He noted that the event’s recognition of academic success sets a positive example, inspiring others to strive for excellence.
“I bring greetings from His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who deeply values education and is especially concerned for young people,” Minister Bharrat shared. “Just last night, I attended a graduation at the University of Guyana, and in his speech, the President passionately conveyed how much the country needs its young, bright minds, particularly in this exciting time of national growth.”
The Minister highlighted that today’s youth in Guyana have a front-row seat to witness and benefit from the government’s efforts to build a modern nation. “When you consider the vision of our President, our General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and the government, it becomes clear that we are working toward the Guyana we have all dreamt of—a place that even those who left will want to return to,” he remarked.
Addressing the 46 awardees, Minister Bharrat commended their hard work and encouraged them to continue seizing opportunities. “Success comes not from luck, but from hard work and making the most of every opportunity. As young people, you must also recognize the sacrifices not only you made, but those of your parents who have worked tirelessly to support your educational journeys,” he said.
The Minister also urged the students not to stop their academic pursuits at this stage, especially with the government’s recent announcement of free university education starting January 2025. “It’s heartening to see your outstanding grades, with some of you achieving up to 16 Grade Ones, which is a remarkable accomplishment. But don’t stop here. This provides you with an unprecedented opportunity to pursue further education and qualifications without cost, a commitment from our government to support your journey.”
Minister Bharrat assured the audience that this policy is part of the government’s broader commitment to educational excellence, noting that free education does not mean a compromise in quality. Instead, the University of Guyana will continue expanding programs and raising standards to ensure students are well-prepared for the workforce and can contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s development.
Member of Parliament Faizal Jafarally also spoke at the event, emphasizing the PPP’s commitment to education as a cornerstone of the nation’s development. “The People’s Progressive Party recognizes the importance of education in the growth and development of our country and in the eradication of crime and criminal activities. As a result, tremendous support has been given to the education sector,” he stated.
Jafarally underscored the government’s efforts in enhancing the education system, highlighting that more than 85% of teachers across the country are now trained professionals, a testament to the PPP’s commitment to educational quality. He added, “Over the years, we have worked hard to create an environment in our education system that is conducive to both learning and teaching, and we are proud to note that we have made significant progress in ensuring we have more trained teachers. Today, Guyana can boast of having universal education at the primary level.”
Looking ahead, Jafarally shared the government’s goal of achieving universal secondary education by 2025 under President Ali’s leadership. “A large portion of the budget goes towards education, with resources distributed equally across the eleven regions, including Georgetown, to ensure each region can significantly enhance educational opportunities for children,” he explained.
The ceremony recognized students from various schools across Region Five, including Mortice Primary School, Zeeland Primary School, and Dundee Primary School at the NGSA level, and Bygeval, Novar, Rosignol, and Bush Lot secondary schools at the CSEC level.
As the event concluded, Jafarally assured those present that the PPP’s dedication to education will continue, stating, “I assure you that this initiative will continue for many years to come. We recognize the importance of encouraging our young students. To our National Grade 6 students, I hope the same dedication and commitment you demonstrated at the primary level will continue as you move to secondary school, and perhaps in five years, we will celebrate you again as top CSEC students.”
Also present at the ceremony was Member of the PPP Executive Committee, Nigel Dharamlall, who shared similar sentiments and assisted with the distribution of awards. Each student received trophies, school bags with essential stationery, and devices like computers and tablets, all intended to support their continued educational journeys.
