Academic achievements must be celebrated with pride.

This was emphasised yesterday as Acting Minister of Education, Science Technology and Innovation; Senator Harry Husbands addressed Diamonds International fourth annual presentation of Mont Blanc pens to the Top 20 students in the Barbados Secondary Schools??? Entrance Examination (BSSEE), at Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, Holetown, St. James.

The Acting Minister told students and their parents: ???I know there is a tendency for us in Barbados to attempt to downplay academic achievement especially at the primary level. But I think we have to shake off all of those challenges and all of those issues and be truly proud of all the work you have done and the success you have achieved.???

Expressing gratitude to teachers and others who would have contributed to this success, he said, ???You have every reason, because of the hard work you have put in, to feel proud and to celebrate this very important occasion.???

Mr. Husbands complimented Diamonds International for the tremendous gift and noted that Mont Blanc pens were quite expensive and among the finest writing instruments available. ???This is an extremely valuable gift that you are receiving this evening. But you deserve it. It is not as though you were just walking along the street and happened on a Mont Blanc pen.

I know that you and your parents must have worked tremendously hard, made tremendous sacrifices for you to be in this ceremony this evening,??? he said.??Those gathered also heard that the Ministry of Education made no distinction between schools and saw all as ???benefiting from a tremendous Barbadian educational system, whether in the private sector or in the public sector???.

Stating that this augurs well for Barbados, Senator Husbands told parents their own role was to encourage their children in their schooling and use all methods available to ensure continuous achievements not only for students but for the island.

Managing Director of Diamonds International, Jacob Hassid, in his congratulatory remarks, echoed similar sentiments, reminding the Top 20 that hard work and success were crucial to their own future.

Acknowledging that Mont Blanc, the leading brand in fine writing instruments focused on the future generation, he declared: ???Diamonds International is very much aware of what Barbados has to offer. Diamonds International operates in many Caribbean islands??? but I think here in Barbados we are blessed with such talent with such manpower that really puts us in a different bracket???

???We recognise that Barbados has a lot more to offer than any other Caribbean island, and I say that with a lot of pride and assurance. And in order to maintain that high bracket that we are in, we need you. We need your hard work and your achievements.???

joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb

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