Mere days ago, 9000 students or more were delivered their SEA grades, that threw them into the abyss of despair. This after our students have experienced turbulent academic years during the pandemic and were already coping with numerous trials, academic and otherwise.
WE took the opportunity to counter this anxiety and anguish felt by parents and students, and hope they recognize they are not alone in these challenging times.
WE believe this deep dive with the trailblazer Ruqayyah Scott offers not only promise, and motivation, but shares light and wisdom as they navigate the next steps in their journey at this crucial time.
Let’s introduce this phoenix…
Ruqayyah Scott embodies the motto of her Alma Mater, Couva East Secondary School - Terras Irradient - Lighting up the Land.
She has been working with many civic society & governmental organizations and youth-led entities that enable her to exercise her passions - leadership, economics, politics and diplomacy. This recent graduate from the University of the West Indies with First Class Honours has also served as a two-time Youth Parliamentarian. She is also the Head Trainer of the Model United Nations, member of the Rotaract Club of Central Port of Spain, former President of the UWI Economics Society and a former Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassador. Additionally, Ruqayyah delved deep into economic and social development issues across the Caribbean at the Heath Economics Unit, Centre for Health Economics, UWI St Augustine.
What is your WHY?
Simple, I want to see this world be a better place. Where equity is practiced throughout, where everyone has access to the same opportunities, when basic necessities are affordably available and where no one at all is left behind. From since childhood, I was always deeply disturbed when I saw any form of inequality or discrimination taking place and always wanted to do something to fix it or at least make it better. I remember being told so many times “but that’s not directly affecting you, why should you care? What’s happening in other countries isn’t happening in Trinidad & Tobago, so why should you care?” My answer to those questions would always be…so what? We are all part of this planet, what happens in Kenya should be our concern, what happens in Brazil should matter, what happens in India is important. This is possibly what birthed my interest in Global Development, Economics & International Affairs.
Graduating with First Class Honours from UWI, share to us what stands out in this academic journey?
Let’s start at the beginning, Savonetta Private school, the private primary school that my parents sacrificed to invest in my early academic development. Here I was exposed to the performing arts (Theatre & Music), Arts & Crafts from as early as 5 years old. In fact, my earliest memory as a child, is on a stage, dressed as a bee (that was my big part lol) delivering my 2 lines at the top of my lungs! I was always exposed to public speaking in primary school which I harnessed throughout my entire journey which has led me to now being able to speak in front of a crowd, on television or in front of a camera. As I made my way into Secondary School, I continued in the performing arts, and being the outspoken and curious teenager, always answering questions in class, always volunteering for extracurricular activities, always representing my high school outside of school. I persevered through these experiences and continued being the inquisitive outspoken child, which honestly is one of my proudest traits.
The word Economics alone brings me so much joy. I chose this area of Business Studies in form 4, after I saw the title “Economist” in a UWI pamphlet at career day in form 3. I truly appreciate the nature of the field and what it seeks to accomplish- to make the world a better place, the perfect fit for me. I kept this passion for economics alive by constantly filling myself with international news, books, videos on economics as early as 13 years old. I harboured this love and passion for economics and applied for it at UWI St Augustine where I immersed myself in multiple activities outside of academics that would enhance my journey towards becoming an Economist. Luckily, with the support of my parents, my mentors, loved ones and my faith in God, I was able to graduate with First Class Honours, my BSc Economics with a Minor in Environmental Economics.
Taking you back to your SEA result, describe those moments and your decisions at that time?
Like every other child, I too wanted to pass for my 1st choice. I remember on the day of results, I was one of the last few students to receive my results after knowing that all of my friends passed for their 1st choices. My last name Scott, starting with “S” meant the anticipation was longer than others.
I remember my principal saying, Couva has two 1st choice schools, you passed for the other one, Congratulations! It was in that moment I learned that I had passed for my 2nd Choice, Couva East Secondary. My heart sunk, all of my best friends were going to another school and yet again, I was the odd one out. My parents were waiting outside and I cried my heart out to them, whilst they assured me that they were very proud of me.
To be quite frank, I felt as if I disappointed everyone, myself, my parents, my friends and my family members. I still remember, family members telling my parents “That school eh good, transfer she to a “better” school!” My parents asked me, do you want a transfer? In that moment, I said NO…firmly…I said I passed for Couva East for that reason and I will attend Couva East, this was where I was meant to be. So said, so done! The best 7 years, filled with memorable friendships, lessons and growth. An institution that has afforded me so many opportunities, nurtured my academic curiosity, supported me in my various extracurricular activities and so much more. My 7 years at Couva Sec were some of the most memorable 7 years of my life and it was Couva East that trained me so well, that I was able to bring home the 1st ever National Scholarship in my family! Terras Irraident Forever! The BEST school and most prestigious school in my eyes, the #1 Government School in Trinidad and Tobago.
What lessons stay with you from overcoming that perceived disappointment?
The only person responsible for your success is you. No institution, no amount of money or lack thereof, no other 3rd person is responsible for you, other than you! Had I not made up my mind to persevere through the challenges I embarked, I would not have been where I am today. You have to decide how you want your life to be, and then act accordingly. Challenges will be constant, but you have to learn how to accept your circumstances, determine what you are in control of and work on those. It makes no sense trying to control things that are simply out of your hands.
My other major lesson was “Trust the process”.
Everyone is exactly where they are meant to be. Trust that where you are now is what was meant for you and find your reasoning and purpose in that. Have faith that things will unfold favourably. It’s the law of attraction, think positively and positive things will happen!
What’s your advice to parents?
Just because your child did not pass for their 1st choice, or many of the times YOUR 1st choice (Yes parents, I’m speaking to you), does not mean they have failed. For those, whose children have scored below 50%, take this as an opportunity to further pour into your children rather than punish them. Academics is not for everyone, and every child learns differently and has various interests. Your problem is with SEA itself, its structure and the structure of the Secondary School system in Trinidad and Tobago.
I would love to say, it doesn’t matter what school a student passes for, they all have the same opportunities. But the reality is, this is far from the truth. There are schools with x3 the number of resources as others, there are schools with strong Alumni, PTAs and so much more. The fact is some schools do have more resources that give students the ultimate advantage, but imagine, if all Secondary Schools across Trinidad and Tobago were equitably equipped, with an abundance of opportunities, adequate infrastructure and finances, essentially if all schools were equal, would you even care about which school your son/daughter passed for? My message here is this, our society has created this prestige/non prestige school culture and a lot of the times, it’s the parents who hold onto these ideals much more than the students themselves, because at the end of the day…most of us end up in the same university, in the same classroom, struggling the same exact way regardless of which high school we attended.
So, my advice to you is, if your child passed for a school where you know much more is needed, be that parent who gives more to your child so that they thrive. And this doesn’t refer to finances only, support your child, get them involved in extracurricular activities, listen to them, help them where you can. Your child needs you now, more than ever. Do not punish your children due to the failure of our state to produce an effective education system. Your children need you!
What’s your words of encouragement to students embarking on remedial classes or making those decisions on their next steps?
If this is the decision you made, be gentle with yourself and try not to punish yourself. Put your best foot forward at your classes and exams but also take the time to explore other interests to truly find your calling and passion. Academics may be for some, but it is not for all, and there is absolutely no need for every human being to be a staunch academic.
Be you, do what you love and do it well!