Top order batsman, Bhedesh Persaud is CSEC ‘top striker’

By Vishani Ragobeer

Facing the onslaught of 23 pace deliveries from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), top order batsman, and Queen’s College student, Bhedesh Persaud scored 22 Grade One passes and One Grade Two pass. While there was no ‘Man of the Match’ accolade in this match-up, he emerged as the ‘Best performing CSEC student’ for Guyana.

Persaud’s achievement was announced on Friday, during a short virtual briefing. On Saturday, he told the News Room that he had no idea that announcement was being made but he was nevertheless happy that he emerged Guyana’s top performer at the 2020 Caribbean Education Secondary Certification (CSEC) examinations.

Persaud scored Grades One passes in: Additional Mathematics, General Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human and Social Biology, Integrated Science, Agricultural Science, Geography, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Economics, Office Administration, Spanish, Portuguese, Religious Education, Information Technology, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Technical Drawing, Physical Education and Sport, English A and B. His Grade II pass was in Social Studies.

Explaining why he opted to write this many subjects, he said, “My main motivation was the challenge, I wanted to challenge myself because you only get to write CSEC once.”

He added, “My intrinsic motivation is just to be the best person that I can be (and) I think challenges motivate me to be a better person.”

Academic challenge aside, Persaud spent a lot of his time honing his cricket skills since this is his main hobby. He is a top order batsman and a bowler with the Queen’s College cricket team and has travelled to Barbados to represent the school at the Sir Garfield Sobers’ cricket competition.

He also enjoys spending time with his seven dogs and his many friends.

Since writing the examinations last year, the young man opted to return to his Alma Mater, QC, where he is pursuing an Associate Degree in Natural Science. His current goal is to be a mechanical or aeronautical engineer, or pursue some career in the sciences.

And now that his CSEC results have finally been confirmed, the young man is awaiting confirmation on whether he stormed the entire series and emerged as the top CSEC performer for the Caribbean region.