More needs to be done to help Afeefa Ally reach her fullest potential

Dear Editor,

For the first time in the history of our country, we have a student with a vision disability who has done extremely well in the CSEC Examinations. Ms. Afeefa Ally has managed to overcome all the difficulties that a regular student would have to go through, as well as all the challenges that come with being blind.

Her family willingly took on this challenge, and based on what they have said, sometimes it was too much to bear. Her story is one that carries so many lessons about overcoming obstacles and persevering to the end.

Our First Lady of Guyana has done a great job in recognizing that Ms. Afeefa’s story deserves recognition and a gift through her InclusAbility Initiative. This bright young lady received a laptop equipped with JAWS software and an iPhone 17 Pro Max. These gifts, I am sure, will be put to good use and will help Ms. Afeefa Ally reach her fullest potential.

I believe, however, that she should have been given a house and a piece of land to give her that extra step ahead in life. Her family should also be given some token of appreciation for not allowing her to be subdued by her disability. Because of their love, sacrifice, and determination, they have helped Guyana gain a valuable citizen.

Please don’t let this be her only gift.

While I am on this topic, I would also like to express an idea I have about the teachers of our national high achievers in CSEC and CAPE.

I would like to see the teachers of these students receive a monetary bonus for their hard work and dedication. This recognition should reach all the way back to the Nursery level. Any teacher or educator who played a significant role in teaching and shaping a student who eventually becomes a top 20 or top 1% national achiever should be considered for such recognition.

We often celebrate the students when the results are announced, and rightfully so. But behind every high-achieving student are teachers who spent years teaching, encouraging, correcting, challenging, and believing in them.The success of these students did not begin in the examination room. It began years earlier, in classrooms where teachers planted the seeds of knowledge and discipline.

Let us therefore remember the people who helped nurture these young minds along the way.

Let us celebrate our students, support their families, and recognize the educators who helped them reach the top.

Please don’t let this be her only gift.

Yours sincerely,
Pushpa Jagnandan