The Education Research Officer in the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries, Kadian Camacho, has lauded a former student of Potters Primary School for his outstanding performance in the 2024 School Based Assessments (SBAs).
Eleven-year-old Ramique Mascall — affectionately known as Boyie, Ram-Ram, and Mique — captured the inaugural Student Researcher of the Year Award on November 30, during the National Youth Awards ceremony, which was organised by the Department of Youth Affairs (DYA). The education officer presented Mascall with his prized crystal, a gift, and perpetual plaque which will be showcased in the Ministry of Education.
Camacho indicated that the Grade Six National Assessment afforded students the opportunity “to plan, conduct and report research” and Mascall excelled in those areas.
“His unique research capabilities were noted through the interview segment of the criteria, where his teachers spoke to his consistency and his thirst for discovery learning. Described as a student who questions meaningfully, who enjoys the result of finding things out as well as the process, also led to Ramique being identified as the Student Researcher of the Year,” she added.
Appealing for greater research, Camacho explained that “it has been noted for some time that a culture change towards the importance and use of local research is needed in Antigua and Barbuda. The research department of the Ministry of Education decided that whilst the present generation is often targeted for research, emerging generations must also be targeted.
“Therefore, in an effort to encourage a culture of meaningful research among students as researchers,” the education officer said, “the research department reached out to the Department of Youth Affairs to introduce the award, which gives credence to the work of our young researchers in Antigua and Barbuda.”
Camacho remains optimistic about “the future and the effects of this award, where student researchers have something to look forward to—where their work is identified and celebrated”.
She insisted that “not only must the students, teachers and even parents see the importance for students to work towards gaining top marks for the research conducted, but there must also be consistency, proving that this was in fact the student’s work.”
Another feature of this award, according Camacho, is that “work will be done with the awardee so that he will present at the upcoming research symposium hosted by the Ministry of Education. This also provides Ramique with publishing opportunities. It is very important to ensure that the research done is shared as the true impact of research is not seen through its conduct but through its availability and transformative use”.
Mascall secured his place in the G6NA Top 100 and a scholarship to his dream school, the Antigua Grammar School, thereby continuing the legacy school of where his father, grandfather, uncles, and cousins. Driven by his incessant passion for math, coding, and problem-solving, Mascall is now working towards fulfilling another big dream of becoming a mechanical engineer.
The 2024 National Youth Awards was held under the theme, “Anchored in Purpose and Vision”.
