Region Six’s top CSEC student on path to become doctor

With 17 Grade Is and 3 Grade IIs, Reyah Khemraj, of JC Chandisingh Secondary School, topped Region Six at last year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and placed fifth place in the country.

The 17-year-old Berbician told Sunday Stabroek that she hopes to follow in the footsteps of an older sister and become a doctor.

Khemraj, of Courtland Village, Corentyne, secured Grade Is in General Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Biology, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology, Geography, Principles of Business, Principles of Accounts, Office Administration, Economics, Physical Education, Food and Nutrition and Health, English A, EDPM, and Integrated Science. She also attained Grade IIs in Caribbean History, English B and Social Studies.

“I am in a state of euphoria, I am happy with my results. It almost feels like a dream,” she said.

According to the teenager, although she expected to excel at the examinations based on the amount of hard work she put in, she did not anticipate that she would secure a spot so high up in the country’s top ten.

Prior to the pandemic, Khemraj said, she had her days well planned out. After school she would take some time off then begin studying, but after COVID-19, she was forced to quickly adjust to learning on online platforms.

However, she noted, while her teachers did not adjust easily to the new format, they still made an effort but she had to do a lot on her own.

She also acknowledged the benefits effective time management, as being important to her success. She urged students to prioritise studying for examinations and emphasised “effective time management.”

Khemraj is currently preparing to sit CAPE this year at Queen’s College and then intends to pursue a Degree in Medicine at the University of Guyana.

The young woman, who has five sisters, related that although her father, Devan Khemraj, is a chartered accounted, she aspires to become a doctor like her older sister since she is fascinated by the human body.

One of Khemraj’s sisters is a doctor, another is a dentist, one is currently studying law, and another is a businesswoman/accountant. Khemraj is the fifth daughter and her younger sister is currently attending Queen’s College. Growing up around her older sisters and being exposed to science at an early age motivated her to pursue a similar career path.

Meanwhile, in her down time, the teenager said she enjoys painting, although she joked that she was not very good at it. She also enjoys taking care of her bunnies.

Since her results became public recently, Khemraj has received an outpouring of love and congratulations from Berbicians and Guyanese in general and is happy to have done something to make Berbicians proud of her.

“I am happy that I am representing my school and Berbice that well. I received a lot of supporting comments and I am happy I have done something to make them all happy. I am beyond grateful.”

Khemraj also thanked God, her mom, Bhagwattie Khemraj, dad, siblings, teachers, and friends, for their support throughout her journey.