 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
Ravindra
CFR
|
Posted: Mon Sep 22nd, 2008 10:02 am |
|
President Jagdeo lauds Saraswati Vidya Niketan students CSEC performance
By Priya Nauth
“It is great a great joy for me because it is a vindication of what we have been saying for a very long time that the reason why rural kids historically did not do so well was not because they are lacking in anyway, but simply because they did not have the opportunity of high quality education and here today you are proving that.”-President Jagdeo
Students of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan in a karate demonstration
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo last Friday expressed his satisfaction with the outstanding performances of the students of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations.
The secondary institution held its Fourth Annual Dikshant Samaroha (Graduation Ceremony and Dinner) at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, with 26 students receiving their certificates.
The school was able to secure out of the 208 entries, 112 distinctions and Grade Ones, and the Best Graduating Student was Govinda Kawall who secured nine subjects, including seven distinctions and two grade ones, copping the President’s Award of Excellency.
Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, the President congratulated the students, declaring, “We share your joy and pride at the outstanding achievements of the students of this unique school.”
“I am sure that the parents here feel vindicated that their sacrifices and their support to the students who have done so exceedingly well mean something, and I hope that it would give impetus and be a signal to other parents across this country to support their children,” he noted.
“Because ultimately, at the end of the day, regardless of the wonderful work that we do in schools and society, the basic values of students or anyone comes from the home environment,” the President asserted.
President Bharrat Jagdeo commending and giving words of encouragement to Best Graduating Student, Govinda Kawall.
“It is great a great joy for me, because it is a vindication of what we have been saying for a very long time, that the reason why rural kids historically did not do so well was not because they are lacking in anyway, but simply because they did not have the opportunity of high quality education, and here today you are proving that,” the Head of State pointed out.
“We are spending some $20B, more than 20 per cent of our recurrent budget, on education. Now we still have issues of value for money and quality, but we are giving access to education here and along the coast and to children who live in the hinterland and who were never fortunate enough to have access to secondary education, and some even primary education,” President Jagdeo said.
“I always use those examples from the hinterland to urge parents to pay greater attention to their children’s education…here sometimes on the coast, we become complacent, we complain about everything and at the slightest sign of discomfort, we throw up our hands in despair – that should not be,” he noted.
“I want to thank Swami (Aksharanandaji) for the work that you do here,” the Head of State said.
President Jagdeo went on, “Here, in this institution, I see the creation and the instilling in our young people, our values that are in our genes and come out of our history…we are not trying to import values from other civilisations, because there is a feeling today that those civilisations and their values are modern and the things that we believe in are antiquated and out of fashion, but that is not so.”
“We have to make sure that the values that we forge in this society…have a direct relationship to who we are as a people. I have seen the lessons taught here and the great effort that is taken here to forge young people who have an all-rounded personality,” he observed.
He called on parents to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure that their children benefit from the education provided, “so that our children will live to see a better day than we did.
“We had struggles to change the society, from a society that was not free, where people could not freely express themselves…we had to fight for it and it takes strength of character and values to retain this freedom and we must not easily give in to despair,” he urged.
“So I ask the parents to continue to walk this path with us…they will participate in changing our land, making it a better place, in living the dreams that we dreamt of but we never managed to live because of circumstances we faced…they would progressively work to make this a better place for everyone,” Jagdeo appealed.
He encouraged the students to pay attention to lessons taught at the institution, noting that discipline, perseverance and commitment will ensure success in any endeavour.
“…as young people, if you make sure that those are your guiding principles, then whatever you do in life, you are going to succeed,” the Head of State charged the graduates.
In the Principal’s report, Swami Aksharanandaji, congratulating the students said, “It is a matter of great pride for us that our students were able to make this remarkable achievement.”
He noted the dedication and commitment by teachers and parents of the institution, and also challenged the parents to continue to support their children’s development through education, which is important.
“I will also like to challenge our teachers. I know that you are capable of producing the best students in this country, and we look forward for that performance from you,” he anticipated.
Swami Aksharanandaji revealed that in the institution’s effort to expand its programme, plans are on stream for the development of a special department for agriculture and dairy; and to this end, the school is currently negotiating with the Guyana Sugar Corporation for the purchase of a piece of land.
He noted that over 25 persons sponsored students last year and he is hoping to expand the programme. Three students are currently pursuing studies in the United States.
“Students you have done well; but remember it is not only you who have succeeded; it is also your school, family and entire community that have succeeded…we have a lot to contribute to the development of our society,” he said.
Delivering the charge to the graduates, General Secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of India, which is the largest voluntary organisation in the world, Shri Mohan Rao Bhagwat Ji, charged the graduates to use the education towards the development and prosperity of society.
“I am confident that the young generation being created in this institution and others…will definitely be a useful tool in forging a prosperous and happy Guyana which will be useful to this world,” he posited.
Best Graduating Student, Kawall, in a brief presentation, noted, “Our aspiration to excel was transformed into a reality as we approached the CSEC examination and this positive change was inspired by qualified and extra-dedicated teachers.”
The graduate expressed his gratitude to the Principal and teachers for their high level of dedication and commitment towards ensuring high level of education and discipline.
Special prizes were also given out to the top academic achievers for 2007-2008, including the Niel Chand Award, the Rupert Gobin Memorial Award, and the Rupert Gobin Trophy for Excellence in English Language; while cash prizes were given to the students that gained grade ones.
Other aspects of the programme included karate demonstration and a traditional Indian cultural performance by the students.
Among those present were: Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran; Head of the Public and Press Affairs Unit at the Office of the President, Dr Prem Misir and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Irfaan Ali.
|
Current time is 05:03 am | |
|
|
|
|
