MoE apologises to Beekhoo and Subero, names two winners each for SEA President’s awards


“[…] In a situation where two highly performing students have both excelled academically and have been both—through no fault of their own—promised the highest accolade of the President’s Medal and have both declared their willingness to share this accolade, as an exception to any earlier practice, this option has been agreed to, as it would conduce to the benefit of both students…”

The follow is a media statement from the Ministry of Education on its updated merit list for the President’s Medal for Primary Education (Gold) and (Silver):

Photo: Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly (left) and Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian visit students at the Gandhi Memorial Vedic School during the Covid-19 pandemic.
(via Ministry of Education)

The Ministry of Education once again expresses its apologies to the children who were affected by the circumstances surrounding the award of the SEA President’s Medal, 2020. This was in no way intentional and should not have occurred.

Quite apart from the merits of any proposed legal challenge by any of these students, it is important to recognise that both children will have regrettably and unjustifiably suffered as a result of the conflicting messages they have received. The subsequent treatment of this issue in the media will have no doubt exacerbated this hardship.

In a situation where two highly performing students have both excelled academically and have been both—through no fault of their own—promised the highest accolade of the President’s Medal and have both declared their willingness to share this accolade, as an exception to any earlier practice, this option has been agreed to, as it would conduce to the benefit of both students.

To substantively defend the proposed legal actions threatened by the respective parents could potentially delay any final resolution of this matter, which would not be in the best interest of the two children involved.

Photo: Students at the Gandhi Memorial Vedic School are keen to make a point during a visit by Ministry of Education officials.
(via Ministry of Education)

Going forward, there will be a review of this process.

Based on the circumstances previously described, the Ministry of Education has recommended, with agreement from the President, to jointly award the President’s Medal for Primary Education (Gold) and Primary Education (Silver) to the top performing students at the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) 2020:

Ameerah Beekhoo — San Fernando TML (Gold)

Aaron Subero — Maria Regina Grade School (Gold)

Anjanaa Dan — Trinidad Renaissance School (Silver)

Mercedes David — St Gabriel’s Girls RC (Silver)

The Ministry extends its congratulations to all four students.

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