With tears streaming down her young face, Chaestha Lal of Qawa Primary School, Labasa, walked up to receive her award from her parents.

Chaestha scored the highest overall mark in the Year Seven Final Examination.

“I feel so honoured to have stood next to my parents at the stage when they handed over my award,” she said.

“My parents have been my pillar of strength and my mentors, I owe this all to them.

“I am so happy, so proud, I do not know how to describe how I feel. ”

The 12-year-old aspires to be a neurosurgeon.

Chaestha scored 505/600 and grabbed six prizes including the overall highest for the Year Seven examination, highest scorer in healthy living, social science, basic science, Hindi and first prize for her class.

Her father, Rohit Lal, said: “She hardly studies, but still she managed to get this award and first prize for her class.

“We have always advised her to work hard so she can have a good job in the future and be independent.”

Her mother, Sandya Lal, said: “It is important that we support our children in their education, set a timetable for them and see that they are also rewarded when they manage to achieve good results.”

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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