AS 14,905 students around the country sit for the Year 10 examination, which began yesterday, we take this opportunity to encourage support for the education process.
The Attorney-General and Acting Minister for Education Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum called for support and encouragement of our children.
The exam began yesterday with the basic science paper in 170 centres around the country.
The last paper is set for October 24.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum urged parents and guardians to support students and encourage them to study and do well.
“When you do, our students will be able to focus fully on their performance and have the confidence to put their best foot forward,” he said yesterday.
Support, he said, from parents and guardians and the government would arm our students “with tools they need to succeed in the classroom, and throughout their entire lives”.
The number of examination centres had increased from 165 to 170, he said. Perhaps we should remind our children that there are always opportunities to secure a better future for themselves.
Getting a good education can be fulfilling as well as rewarding.
A United Nations regional overview on East Asia and the Pacific in 2011, titled Education For All Global Monitoring Report, highlighted “children’s education opportunities are shaped long before they enter primary school”.
The linguistic, cognitive and social skills they develop through early childhood care and education, it said, were the foundations for expanded life chances and for lifelong learning.
Parents and guardians play a critical role, it said, and should understand that once children were enrolled at the right age, the challenge was to get them through school.
To that end then, let us play our part in ensuring our children receive the education they deserve.
We are into the business end of the school year.
To many students, teachers, parents and guardians alike, this term is about setting priorities.
Not every student will be good in school. It still is in their best interest to give this term their best effort.
This term is also about setting a base for a bright future. It will require the support of parents, guardians and teachers.
Students must, however, be willing to make a difference. They must be willing to give this term their best shot.
They must have the enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to make that difference in their lives.
Let us remind our children about setting goals and working towards them. Let us be supportive as they go through the term.
For the students, take time to read your questions properly before doing anything else on exam day.
To every student who is either sitting for an exam paper, has already completed exams and who is preparing to sit for their papers over the next few days, we wish you all the best.
