Senior reporter
otto.carrington@cnc3.co.tt
Twelve of the nation’s top-performing students were celebrated yesterday at the President’s Medal Awards Ceremony 2025, which honoured recipients from 2023 and 2024.
President Christine Kangaloo praised the nation’s top performers as a powerful answer to Trinidad and Tobago’s decades-old brain drain, saying the commitment of many of them to stay and build the country offers hope for the nation’s future.
The group, honoured at a long-awaited ceremony postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was recognised for their academic excellence. President Kangaloo said the commitment of this year’s medal winners to stay at home after their studies sends a powerful message about patriotism and nation-building.
“When I was growing up, and if I’m honest, up to not too long ago, one of the issues that concerned our country’s leaders the most was the issue of brain drain,” the President said.
“The worry was that the country was investing resources in educating our young people only to see them settle abroad, giving the benefit of their intellect and creativity to other countries.”
The President said she was “tremendously pleased” the majority of this year’s awardees had expressed an undertaking to “let down their bucket right here” and contribute to national development.
“You have no idea how much it warms my soul to know that you love your country that much,” President Kangaloo told the gathering, noting their choice to stay represents “a demonstration of real integrity.”
She paid tribute not only to the students but also to their parents, teachers and support systems for guiding them toward success.
Quoting calypsonian Johnny King’s line that “appreciation plays on the human mind,” the President said yesterday was about recognising the hard work, sacrifice and balance that had led to the students’ success.
“You are not only medal winners,” the President said, “You are also the leaders, influencers, and change makers of the future.”
Education Minister Dr Micheal Dowlath echoed the President’s sentiments, describing the awardees as proof this country’s education system continues to produce world-class talent despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. He called on parents, teachers and communities to work together to guide students through the social and digital pressures they face.
“Education does not begin and end in the classroom,” Dowlath said.
He urged families to instil values at home, model integrity, and celebrate success as much as they correct failure. He added that these young achievers represent the best of what the nation can become when discipline and opportunity meet.
Awardees:
In the category of Higher Secondary Education Gold, based on the CAPE 2023 results, Ryker Harrichan and Nishka Maharaj, of Hillview College, were recognised, while the 2024 awards went to Teddy Mohammed, of Hillview College, and Alicia Dipchan, of St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando.
The President’s Medal for Secondary School Education Gold was awarded to Hailey Jeffers (Naparima Girls’ High School) for 2023 and Reginald Mohammed (Naparima College) for 2024. At the primary level, the SEA 2023 Gold Medal was presented to Mila Zoro (San Fernando TML Primary School), with the Silver Medal going to Ruthvika Sarvana Kumar (Curepe Presbyterian Primary School).
The President’s Medal 2024 for Primary Education, based on the SEA results, went to Aryan Rajbally (Felicity Hindu Primary School) and Surya Mansoor Kubairsingh (Penal Rock Road Hindu Primary School), won Gold, and Liam Rajkumar (Freeport Presbyterian Primary School), who took the Silver award.
Medals were also presented for Technical and Vocational Education for 2023 to Kemuel Matthews (MIC Institute of Technology, Point Fortin) and to Shanelle Seales ( MIC Institute of Technology, Diego Martin) for 2024.
