Sea of dreams

And that so many do so with grace and dignity in the face of so much pressure is testimony to the resilience of the human spirit.

We particularly congratulate some of the top scorers. These include 12-year old Lexi Balchan.

Lexi is a hard worker who fantasised about placing first in the country. In the end, her dreams became premonitions.

“I worked so hard over the years with my parents and all the teachers and especially God,” Lexi said in an interview with reporters after receiving the news.

But the cost of this achievement, which has placed her in her first choice of Naparima Girls High School in San Fernando, was the sacrifice of many things.

“A lot of things that I just wish I could experience again that I missed out that were once in a lifetime, but I just feel like it was worth it in the long run,” Lexi said. “I had to make sure to study every day and sacrifice things that you wanted to do like TV and playtime and all those things that you wanted to do.” No doubt Lexi’s achievement came after much support from her teachers and parents. Her father, Krishdath Balchan, gave his daughter a strong message.

“I always preach to her, you have to dream big in order to get big things,” said Balchan.

“But you can’t just dream big and expect to wake up one day and it is has happened. You have to work hard and Lexi is a very hard-working individual.” We also laud the success of all the other top scorers including second-placed Jordana Mahabir, 12, of Gandhi Memorial Vedic School. We also congratulate the top scorer from Tobago, Shenice Stanisclaus. In Tobago, only one boy – Jordan Langley – made it into the island’s top ten, which speaks volumes about the gender gap that has seen boys lagging behind.

The State must now focus on ensuring it readies all schools for the resumption of classes when the new term begins so that students can continue their journey.

Issues in relation to the Education Facilities Company Ld have been raised and should be ironed out under its new board.

While we would not want to steal the thunder of all these achievers, it is important to place this examination in perspective.

Historically, many who have passed for their first choice have gone on to do great things. And many who have not passed for their first choice have also gone on to do great things. This exam is a method designed to designate students to schools. It is not designed to determine the worth or potential of any individual.

Students should not be made to feel that their entire life hinges on this.

There is more to education.

Indeed, there is more to life than one examination.

While it is good to celebrate the achievements of those who shine, our society must also remember to venerate the ideals that will serve our students well in the long run. Those ideals include a sense of civic duty; the importance of resilience; having healthy relationships; critical thinking; and values that reflect the mystery and sanctity of life.

Education, so understood, is more than just an SEA mark.

Students and parents who may have come away disappointed would do well to remember that this examination is only the start of a much more profound journey.

The sea of dreams is vast and all who swim in it can achieve great things.