President Danny Faure hosted the annual High Achievers Award Ceremony at State House this afternoon, where some 23 students in public and private schools were recognised for having excelled in the 2018 National and International Examinations in Cambridge IGCSE, AS and Advanced Level.

Among the students present, four of the High Achievers obtained international recognition by coming second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seven, tenth and eighth joint among the top ten in the world in their respective subjects. They are Maxim Le Gac, Sanjeetha Pillay, Alexandra Eulentin and Sophie Jeanne Berlouis.

In her address during the ceremony, the Designated Minister, Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, described the event as a celebration of the enthusiasm, discipline, commitment and hard work of some of the students.  

“This year, Seychelles has won 38 Cambridge international awards from 20 award recipients from both public and private institutions. My greatest desire is to see more of our students excelling and earning international recognition for their high academic performance. Today, I urge all schools to work harder in raising the profile of all their learners," said Designated Minister Mondon.

The Designated Minister highlighted that despite the challenges the students have faced during their studies, they managed to surpass them because of their ambition, aptitude and the support of all who believed in their potential. She said that she hoped that their success is an inspiration to other students.

“By achieving excellence in your studies at both national and international levels, you have made our country proud. I want to congratulate you all on your outstanding performance and remarkable personal growth. I hope that your achievements at this point in your lives remain a source of motivation not only for yourselves but also for other students and youths around you, especially those facing various challenges in their lives,” she said.

Designated Minister Mondon congratulated the teachers as well as the parents and thanked them for the vital role they played in the success of the high achievers.

The ceremony was followed by the presentation of tokens by President Faure to the students in recognition of their outstanding performance and achievements.

Also present at the ceremony was the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Human Resource Development, Dr Linda Barallon, Principal Secretary for Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Odile de Comarmond, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Directors and Principal of Independent School Seychelles, Vijay International School and International School Seychelles.