43 top A’ Level students celebrate

At a ceremony at the Hilton Trinidad, the achievers were urged by Education Minister Hazel Manning to consider themselves as new role models. She urged them, "To return to their primary and secondary schools to inspire and assist someone to achieve what you have done."

Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Prof Gurmohan Kochhar, who delivered remarks, noted that barriers were fast being broken down because of people’s educational skills. He said a person’s status was now dependent on their education, and it was one of the reasons why the St Augustine campus had so many students applying for tertiary education.

Kochhar said of the 8,039 students applying to the campus this year, 5,074 were offered spaces. He expects an intake of 4,000. He said the Faculty of Law was the worst in terms of spaces. Two hundred and seventy one local students applied and only 54 got places. The Faculty of Medical Sciences was another large problem, with 946 students applying and 470 getting places. The Faculty of Engineering is also a challenge with 985 students applying and 555 places being offered.

Kochhar said Tuesday’s protest by students over fee increases was a legitimate expression for which he was not upset about at all. He was even anticipating other protests as a result of the limited spaces for students.

Yesterday, Kochhar also celebrated the success of his son Amrik Singh Kochhar, who placed first in Math, Further Math and fourth in Physics.

The grandson of former President Sir Ellis Clarke, John Peter-Clarke, was also among the recipients of a prize and cash for tying for second in History.