Ryashant Padarath came at the bottom of his class in Year 9 but he made a remarkable comeback four years later claiming the dux prize of DAV College.

The 18-year-old after the school prizegiving at the school on Wednesday said: “I feel proud and glorious as I have worked hard the whole year and finally I have achieved what I wanted.

“In Form Three (Year 9) I was placed last in my form but despite that I tried hard to be the best.”

He said that his mother singlehandedly supported him after his father passed away in 2015 from a heart condition.

“My mum works extra hard as a sales assistant and this has enabled her to financially support us.”

Ryshant dedicated his award to his mother who is his role model and also to all his teachers.

“My lifelong dream is to be a civil engineer but I would also like to pursue something in Information Technology.”

“Mathematics was one of my poorest subjects. From Form 3 (Year 9) through to Form 5 (Year 11) no one even knew my name but I got serious with my studies.

“I feel proud because I have worked hard the whole year and finally I have achieved what I wanted,” he said.

“I was usually an average student and in form three I was placed last in my form but despite that I tried hard to be the best.”

His advice to academically-weak students is simply to work hard and you can achieve anything.

Lal: Appreciate Govt’s assistance

Member of Parliament Brij Lal reminded attendees to appreciate what Government had done for them.

Naming a few he said these include free tuition, free text books, bus fare, the Toppers Scheme, TELS and more.

“The Ministry of Education has carried out many reforms to help teachers, school managements and students,” Dr Lal said.

“I am sure all of you will appreciate the work done by the FijiFirst Bainimarama Government.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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