Top 25 PSE Performers are Recognized by Education Ministry

This year’s brightest students are from all across the country from both private and public schools. Today, the top twenty-five students of the Primary School Examination were hosted at the Bliss Institute in recognition of their hard work that gave way to high marks.  Family and friends beamed with pride and joy as the top achievers were lauded for their feat in the examinations.  News Five’s Andrea Polanco reports.

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

The top twenty-five performers in the Primary School Examination were honored for their outstanding scores on the test. The awardees, along with parents, friends and teachers, gathered at the Bliss to be commended by the Ministry of Education.  Minister of Education Patrick Faber called on parents to play a part to ensure their children’s success:

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education

Patrick Faber

“This message is for all parents – the teachers cannot do the job by themselves and parents must be fully engaged. In too many of our schools, parents are absent; many report cards go uncollected and addressing students academic needs and conduct often omit parental input. I am of the firm belief that with parents more engaged and more involved, schools will improve and even the right kind of pressures will be brought to bear on all partners for children’s success.”

And second place performer Gerson Makhwani credits his parent’s involvement, as well as the teachers’ efforts, that led to his success. The Mary Hill RC School student of Corozal earned three hundred and eighty two points out of a possible four hundred. He tells us that he balanced his school work with other important self development elements:

Gerson Makwahni

Gerson Makwahni, TOP PSE Performer

“The push was always there from my parents to get a high grade. My mother she told me, ‘ I got such grade. I didn’t have any electricity at my house. I didn’t have a laptop. I didn’t have a printer at my house. I didn’t have any of the things you have right now. So, you have to rise above what I got and you have to do better.’ She was my prime motivation. My principal, my teachers, my whole family, they were always there to encourage me, motivate me and push me so. So, that helped me to set my own individual goals. I knew that I wanted a ninety-five. I knew that I wanted to be in the top ten and I knew that I wanted to excel. You have to know how to balance out your time. You need time to study and once you have put in your five cents worth, you can have time with your gadgets, cellular or whatever you want but you also have to remember to put in time for God, for exercise, and continue to living a healthy lifestyle. You can’t do things that will affect you in your academics, but you can still do things where you can still be a child and have fun in your everyday life.”

Haley Thurton of Hummingbird Elementary School is one of the top two performers in the PSE. She scored three-hundred and eighty four out of a possible four hundred points, earning the Jane and Michael Nembhard Award. The academically bright student says she didn’t go overboard with the studying but she managed to pull off a first place:

Haley Thurton, Top PSE Performer

Haley Thurton

“My preparation was pretty average. Just put enough work into what you are doing, your studies and also take a couple breaks because you don’t want to stress yourself out. I didn’t think I would be one of the top performers but I was pretty confident in my work, just didn’t think I would get this far.”

Rolando Umana, student of La Inmaculada Primary School in Orange Walk, also tied for first place with three-hundred and eighty seven points. He too was awarded  the Jane and Michael Nembhard award. Now that primary school is behind him, he says he has his eyes on success in high school:

Rolando Umana

Rolando Umana

“I am planning on attending Muffles College and there I plan to do well and stick to my studies. My advice I would give to those in standard five is to listen in class, try their best and take it as a normal exam.”

Andre Polanco

“And now you are being rewarded today – how does it make you feel that you are being recognized for the hard work?”

Rolando Umana

“I feel very happy because the hard work paid off and we have been receiving great awards and it will help us in the future.”

Andrea Polanco reporting for News Five.