A surprised Shynal Ram was lost for words when he was told that he would be receiving the dux award of All Saint’s Secondary School.

Shynal said he was not expecting the award as there was a lot of competition at the school.

“I was not expecting the award, I was sur­prised when I was told that I would be receiv­ing the dux award,” Shynal said.

He said it is through his family and friends support that he was awarded the dux.

“I would like to thank the Almighty, family and friends for their never ending support, for without them I would not have received the dux award,” he said.

“I study two to three hours in a day and I usu­ally study two to three days prior before the examination,” he said.

Speaking as the chief guest at the annual prize giving Divisional Secretary Soko Tuima said Government is very much committed to investing in the education sector in order to build a smarter Fiji.

“Government initiatives and investments are undertaken for a purpose and that is to create that environment that will build a clever and smarter Fiji in years to come,” Mr Tuima said.

Mr Tuima said the students are the hope of their families and the vanua of Macuata.

“You have the freedom and the power to de­cide where the journey of your life will take you,” he said.

“You are to decide based upon your personal choice as to the paths you take and where they will lead you, ones that steers your ship and to what end your ship will prosper depends on the decision you make today,” he added.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar

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