Matric needs ‘medical aid’
RISHERN Naick reached for the stars in his matric year and was dazzled by the results.
But the aspirant doctor is being weighed down by something out of his hands – money.
The 18-year-old Eastbury Secondary School matriculant scored seven distinctions and an aggregate of 93.4%, with his highest marks being 98% for accounting, life sciences and physics.
But his place to study medicine at the University of Cape Town in March may be in jeopardy if he does not secure a bursary.
The Phoenix teenager, who was the deputy head prefect and Dux at his school, is not losing faith, however.
“I have applied for a few bursaries and I am still awaiting a response, but my mother has told me not to stress as she will take out a loan.”
According to Naick, tuition for the first year will cost just under R100 000 – R69 000 for fees and R25 000 for boarding.
“If I get a loan I will have to work extra hard to get a dean’s scholarship for second year tuition.”
Naick could have received a scholarship from UCT but just missed the points criteria.
“I scored 86% for English and Afrikaans and I am thinking about sending my papers for a remark,” he said.
Working hard has always been a priority for Naick.
“I really put in the extra effort in my matric year – with late nights and really concentrating in class as the volume of work was intense, but it has paid off.”
In the midst of preparing to leave to Cape Town, Naick said he was sad to leave his mother, Lorraine, a sales representative, who raised him single handedly.
“She has always supported me and ensuring I pursue my dreams. I will miss her.”
Eastbury Secondary principal JK Maharaj described Naick as a hard-working, dedicated and committed ex-pupil who had worked painstakingly hard to achieve his goals.
“But the one thing that stands out about him; is that he is always sharing with his classmates his understanding of the syllabus.”
Maharaj feared that without a bursary the teen might not be able to pursue his dream to study medicine.
“He has done so well and finances should not hold him back.”