Heads high among all achievers

The highest grade achievers of O and A level examinations pose for a group photo at the 10th annual award giving ceremony organised by The Daily Star at the Suhrawardy National Indoor Stadium yesterday morning.Photo: SK Enamul HaqStaff Correspondent

Thirty-four Bangladeshi students secured the highest marks worldwide in thirteen subjects in the GCSE O-level examinations last year while another 19 have obtained the highest marks worldwide in six subjects of the A-level exams during the same period.

Two students also obtained A grade in 11 subjects in the 2008 O-level examinations.

These outstanding achievers were among the 953 O-level and A-level students who were awarded and honoured by The Daily Star at a formal ceremony held at the Shaheed Suhrawardy National Indoor Stadium in the capital yesterday morning.

The ceremony awarded O and A level examinees who achieved good results under both the Edexel International and Cambridge International Examinations boards.

Rumana Fouzia Choudhury from Sunbeams School obtained 11 As in a single sitting of the O-level exams held during May-June 2008 while Arifa Sayyidah Ahsan from Dhanmondi Tutorial obtained 11 As in two consecutive sittings -- 6 As in May-June 2007 exams and 5 As in January 2008.

Students are permitted to take the O and A level exams in multiple sittings.

Two students acquired the highest number of A grade in A-level examinations in 2008.

Marjuk Sultan from Sunshine Grammar School and College got 5 As in one sitting in January 2008 while Ahsan Mosharraf Barkatullah from Scholastica obtained 6 As in one academic year -- one A in January 2008 and 5 As in May-June 2008.

Eight O-level students scored the highest marks worldwide in pure mathematics, accounting, Bangla, biology, chemistry, economics, English language, human biology, Bangladesh studies, mathematics, computing, English literature and Physics under the Edexcel board.

Meanwhile, 12 A-level students under the same board obtained the highest marks worldwide in accounting, mathematics, pure mathematics, chemistry, further mathematics and physics.

Three O-level students under Cambridge International Examinations scored the highest marks worldwide in Bangla, computer studies and human and social biology.

The Daily Star at its 10th annual award presentation ceremony also handed out special honours to 41 O and A level students for achieving the highest marks in the country.

Among them, 13 students under Edexcel International and 11 under Cambridge International secured the highest marks in the country at O-level examinations in different subjects.

Twelve students under Edexcel International and five students under Cambridge International achieved highest marks in the country in different A-level subjects.

WHAT THE ACHIEVERS SAY
Rumana Fouzia Choudhury of Sunbeams School, who obtained 11 As in O-level exams in a single sitting in the May-June 2008, considers private tuitions unnecessary for students.

“I studied all 11 subjects on my own,” she said while addressing the ceremony.

“If I can do it, so can you,” she said.

Rumana who wants to pursue higher studies in either medical science or economics expressed hope that Bangladesh will prosper in the face of all obstacles.

“This country has never accepted defeat in face of adversity… Bangladesh will one day be completely rid of poverty, diseases and injustice. It is true that this will not happen overnight, but this collective dream will become a reality if we spend time in constructive activities,” she said.

Risalat Khan of European Standard, who obtained 5 As in his A-level exams, said the country has an immense resource in its people.

He observed that the scope to learn about the country's rich cultural heritage and history is not adequate under the English medium curriculum available in the country.

“How ignorant we are of our own past, of the origin of the very land we live in,” he said, urging school authorities to take special initiatives in this regard.

Risalat, who wants to pursue environmental studies, thinks the new generation have the potential to build a prosperous nation.

Asked if he would like to go abroad for higher studies, Azam said, "Yes, I would, but will surely return to use my expertise here.”

He proposed that all students get united and do some community service in the country.

Nandita Khan Nitol, who secured the highest marks worldwide in Bengali, said a simple desire to learn Bengali and learn about the cultural heritage of the country is all that it takes to get going.