NGSA 2025: New Sapodilla School of Excellence pupil tops Region Five 

A pupil of the New Sapodilla School of Excellence Primary School has claimed the top spot in Region Five for this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Eleven-year-old Safeerah Sheriff triumphed with an impressive score of 486.09 marks, securing her place at Queen’s College. She ranks 9th on the national list.

Safeerah attributes her success to rigorous preparation, which involved intensive extra lessons and relentless support from her family and teachers.

“I went from school to do my work and then I went to my lesson teacher, Ms. Jelissa, who did extra work with us and after that, in the evening, Ms. Constance worked on past papers with us. At home, my parents filled any gaps and did more work with me,” she explained.

Confidently, Safeerah noted that Mathematics stood out as her easiest subject.

“I found Mathematics to be the easiest subject because there was a puzzle where you had to solve things to get the answer,” she remarked.

Securing the second place spot for the region was 11-year-old Fantasia Alfred from Hopetown Primary; she scored 486.03 marks.

An aspiring neurosurgeon, Fantasia also gained admission to Queen’s College.

She stated, “I feel very honored and elated for being the top pupil of my school and also being placed second for Region Five.”

Fantasia emphasised the hard work she put into her preparations leading up to the exams.

“I prepared for my exams by studying regularly and enduring sleepless nights. I also prepared by making sure I understood certain topics and by working past NGSA papers. No, I was not surprised about being the top student because I knew my ability and I trusted in God,” she asserted.

Safeerah and Fantasia expressed profound gratitude toward their parents, teachers, and supporters, recognizing the crucial role each played in their remarkable achievements.