As Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination results were handed out in Central Trinidad yesterday, parents and pupils alike expressed relief that the process had been completed.
At the Montrose Vedic Primary School, parents and pupils were allowed onto the compound in groups of five to maintain social distancing and adherence to the Public Health Guidelines.
Several parents said the wait was about half an hour to collect the results but they were too excited to see what school their children would be attending to be bothered.
Sursatte Perreira was present to congratulate her son, Kyle, on his result. Kyle passed for St Mary’s College - his second choice school.
He told Guardian Media he was grateful for his success, as he described the hybrid learning system implemented during the pandemic as difficult.
“It was a lot of pressure and stress but in the end it was good. I am happy I passed for my second choice and not my third or fourth,” Kyle said.
His classmate, Shivanna Ramdulah, was in tears after collecting her result slip.
As her mom Reshma Ramdulah hugged her, she explained the tears were happy ones.
“I passed for Lakshmi Girls’ College, it was my first choice. I am so happy and proud of myself,” Shivana said.
The 12-year-old said she was looking forward to sharing the news with the rest of her family waiting at home.
At the Chaguanas Roman Catholic School a short distance away, Chriselle Manrique was accompanied by her parents Christian and Renelle and younger brother Christiano to collect her results.
The youngster said she was happy with her placement at the St Charles’ High School in Tunapuna, as she was concerned about being zoned within the Central division.
“I am happy that I passed for a school, that I didn’t get zoned, even though getting zoned is not a bad thing. I am still happy with the result that I got and I am just happy that my parents are supportive of me and not sad that I didn’t pass for my first choice,” she said.
Her mother, Renelle, said the family was extremely proud of Chriselle, noting she overcame many challenges over the past year.
“This was a very trying school year for more than one reason besides COVID, so she did handle it very well, she never let any obstacles come into her way, she would always push whatever into her work. She placed 84th overall, so we are really proud of that. St Charles’ was one of her choices so she did very well,” Renelle said.
At the Chaguanas Government Primary School, father and son Nigel and Josiah Mejias were planning a day of relaxation after collecting Josiah’s result slip.
Josiah said he was happy to be placed at Couva West Secondary and was looking forward to spending the rest of the day watching movies at home.
Rainy Dhill, his wife Josanne and their daughter Jada, were in a more celebratory mood. Jada passed for her first choice school, St Joseph’s Convent, and all three were shaking with excitement.
Jada said although she worked very hard in the months leading up to the examination, she was not expecting such a good result.
“I feel very happy, I worked so hard for it so I wasn’t expecting to pass for a bad school. All my hard work paid off, fortunately,” she said.
Her mother, Josanne, said parental support was key to her daughter’s success.
“It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of push, you have to push with your child and be there with your child,” Josanne said.
Nathaniel Caby and his mother Nickole Abraham were also planning a quiet celebration at home after Nathaniel passed for his first choice school, Queen’s Royal College.
Nathaniel said the hybrid learning system was difficult for him, adding he was very worried going into the examination.
“The past papers we did were a lot harder than the exam itself. Going into the exam, my creative writing scores were not good and in my results today, I got full marks in creative writing. I am very happy it is over,” Nathaniel said.
Collin Sandy and his daughter, Colleen, were also celebrating. As the proud father stood next to her, Colleen said she was elated to pass for her first choice, Couva East Secondary.
Her father said she had worked very hard for the exam and he was extremely proud of her.