WHAT NOW?

The life of any student around the world is not an easy one. It’s a tenacious lifestyle that we must partake in. However, one word is enough to summarize the epitome and the nadir point of our student lives: exams. This word alone can send shivers down your spine and make you finally go revise for that terrifying physics test (may God be with you) . Following the proclamation of the SC and HSC results earlier this school year, a pending question boggles the mind of students, especially those who have finished secondary school; what now?

The outset of the Covid 19 pandemic has thrusted up and down our school lives and we are suddenly back in front of our screens as the situation outside worsens. My mates and I, along with the previous HSC batch, had to go for our exams in the direst conditions possible as the second lockdown was still in force. The final sprint that could make it or break it was now a personal affair at home, notes streaking around our bedrooms with the voices of teachers lingering in our earphones. It was a long, arduous road but all the work behind was worth it. The results at school showcase it : a record-breaking 63 aggregate 6 holders and 12 laureates made the pride of RCC . The aftermaths of our results differ for each one of us- jubilation for some and disappointment for others. However, this is not the end of the road. As important as these exams are and even though we should do our best to excel in them, they do not define who we are. For instance, not getting an aggregate of 6 for SC does not mean you won’t be a laureate, just like not getting a scholarship does not mean you won’t be sitting in an office twenty years later with a hefty pay-check with 6 zeros.

As unfortunate as it is, there is an incredible stigma that reigns in the mind of the Mauritian population concerning education along with a high expectations and parental pressure. These exams should not be treated lightly nor too heartily, for everything is excess is not good. This is what most of the Mauritian population fail to comprehend as very few parents fall unto the middle of the fence to help their child pave their way in their education. Unfortunately , the suicide of a 17 year old student who was unsatisfied with his results is a perfect example of the drawbacks of this elitist system that we have here. Not everyone can cope with pressure or disappointment, no matter how hard they try. However, to say that there should be yet another reform of education is too easy- the nine-year schooling is still in its early stages and we cannot hasten things up. Competition among students is far from being a bad thing; it pushes us towards new heights that we would could not fathom. We should be the generation that strive to push the barrier of excellence and set the example for our youngsters. Without hard work, it is nearly impossible to reach our goals in life.

Yet another flock of birds is leaving the country towards the greener pastures for their tertiary studies while we are embarking on the ‘perilous’ journey that is our A-levels. Students come and go and our time at RCC is counted, to our great dismay. As important as results and exams may be, do not forget to enjoy those years that you will spend here. You will never be able to replace them. As Freddie Mercury once said, ‘’These are the days of our lives.’’

-MYANDEE Ryan