Naparima College, San Fernando principal Michael Dowlath, left, looks on as Prime Minister Patrick Manning unveils a plaque to officially open the new school's auditorium. Photo: Innis Francis

Naparima College, San Fernando, recently held a double ceremony to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its students and the formal opening of the school’s multi-million-dollar auditorium. Attended by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, the function saw over 300 certificates, medals and trophies distributed to students for performance in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations (Cape), sports and for other achievements.

This year, the school received 21 national scholarships, nine of which were open, and three University of the West Indies scholarships. In addition, the school produced top student in the CSEC exams, Ryan Laloo. He was awarded the Laxmi Jewellers President’s Gold Medal and tied with Shival Maharaj for the Carvey’s Printery Trophy for Outstanding Achievements in the O’Level exams.

Also receiving an award was Siddiq Ali, son of veteran journalist Azard Ali. Siddiq won a specialist trophy for A-Level Geography, as well as an additional scholarship in Environmental Science. In delivering the feature address, Prime Minister Patrick Manning commended principal Dr Michael Dowlath and his administration for the school’s exceptional results at the national exams, which he said was undoubtedly a collective effort involving all stakeholders.

Noting that collaboration among the school, home and community is needed more than ever in the country, he said, “It is critical if our children are to be prepared for the extremely competitive global environment in which we live. We need this if we are to produce the quality and quantity of successful graduates to meet the modern
challenges that our society faces.”

He said due to global competitiveness, the bar of success has been raised and students are required to do much more than previously. He said a higher level of education was now “an indispensable prerequisite for landing the better, white-collar jobs. Indeed, it is indispensable at the professional and managerial levels.”

Also speaking the event were valedictorian Erron Ramdass, moderator of the Presbyterian School Rev Elvis Elahie, chairman of the Presbyterian Secondary School Board Hatim Gardner, Schools Supervisor III, Victoria, Bhadase Seetahal-Maraj and the principal.
Guests were entertained by the Naparima College Chorale, the school band and teacher Leanna Doodnath, with her rendition of There’s a Place For Us.