Minister Manickchand congratulates top NGSA performers at Benjamin’s Bakery Bursary Awards Ceremony in Buxton

Today 18 students that wrote the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were awarded for their exceptional performance by Benjamin’s Bakery in Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

Delivering the feature address, the Honourable Minister of Education Priya Manickchand told the students that they should inculcate an attitude of being grateful to those that support them along their journey and that they go forward knowing their role in the development of their communities and the country.

Minister Manickchand encouraged the children to embrace the age-old saying of “It takes a village to raise a child”. She said that this is important since many persons have offered support in some way, like Benjamin’s Bakery, whose generosity must never be taken for granted.

She said that the students are special and will move on to become the leaders of tomorrow. She said that they must spread goodness and kindness as they interact and socialise throughout life.

Speaking to the parents, Minister Manickchand said that as a parent, she understands the desire of mothers, fathers and guardians to see their children do well and the sense of pride that comes when that dream is realised.

She assured parents that the Government of Guyana in its plans and policies will ensure that Guyanese can continue to build healthy families. Important to this, the Education Minister said is financial freedom. She said that when the Government’s programmes are implemented, there will be development across the country that will improve the lives of all.

Despite the closure of schools due to the COVID-19, Minister Manickchand urged everyone to ensure that the children remain academically engaged at home. She said in addition to school work, children can use this time to learn new skills and hobbies which will help to become rounded students and productive adults in the future.

Minister Manickchand congratulated the proprietor of Benjamin’s Bakery, Mr. Adrian Benjamin on his continued support to the Buxton Community and other villages along the East Coast of Demerara.

Benjamin’s Bakery has been awarding Bursaries annually since 2007. The 27-year-old business initially focused on children in the Buxton community but eventually began including students from other villages on the Coast.

The students awarded today were:

Ladicia Adams – Paradies Primary School – Annandale Secondary School

Shamar McKay – Enterprise Primary – Queen’s College

Ria Lalbachan – Strathspey Primary – Queen’s College

Daquan Chester – Friendship Primary – St. Rose’s High School

Shaqueena Batson – Company Road Primary – St. Stanislaus College

Alton Fraser – Buxton Primary – St. Joseph’s High School

Geetanjali Persaud – Annandale Primary – Queen’s College

Suraj Ramjattan – Lusignan Primary – The Bishops’ High School

Lianna Dharampaul – Mon Repos Primary – Queen’s College

Ezekiel Glasgow – Beterverwagting Primary – President’s College

Delayney Punwa – La Bonne Intention Primary – The Bishops’ High School

Kimberly Balgobin – Chateau Margot Primary – St. Stanislaus College

Ariya Sadeek – Chateau Margot Primary – St. Stanislaus College

Sanjana Duncan – Montrose Primary – St. Stanislaus College

Crystal Slater – Vryheid’s Lust Primary – St. Rose’s High School

Rebecca Bacchus – Plaisance Primary – Good Hope Secondary

Amar Gordon – St. Paul’s Primary – St. Joseph’s High School

Keron Chowtie – Graham’s Hall Primary – Queen’s College