Ameerah (middle), surrounded by her close friends. It's been 2 weeks since the HSC results came out and yet ink is still pouring about the coveted Laureates. Today, MODE-K brings you Modern College Laureate Ameerah Anathallee who happens to have things to share, words of hope to unveil and special tips to uncover for potential laureates! Want to know her views about our education system? Want to know how her student career enabled her to claim this laureate title? Here's the interview! Q: Hi, tell us about your SC & HSC subjects - how and why you chose certain subjects.
A: For my O-levels I picked Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Additional Mathematics and English Literature as well as the compulsory subjects of course. I realized I had an affinity for Physics and Mathematics as well as Art&Design. Of these, Physics is for me the scientific discipline par excellence. It continues to provide me with rational answers to my innumerable questions. Although the combination of subject I was offered at school for my O-levels precluded me from studying Art&Design, this did not dampen my interest and passion for the subject.I continued to study it at home under the guidance of a teacher and I sat for Art&Design as a private candidate. This developed my multi-tasking skills, and even proved to be demanding at times, but I was rewarded for my endeavour by being ranked among the top 10 candidates in Mauritius for Art&Design. This brought me a sense of achievement and boosted my interest regarding independent study. Finally for my A-levels I chose Mathematics, Physics and Art& Design at principal level and French at subsidiary level. I believe it is my love for all these subjects that has geared me to choose the ‘technical side’ rather than the science side. Q: You changed colleges after your SC results (Aggregate 10). Why? Was the traveling distance (Ameerah lives in Bel-Air) to school a factor which made you chose Modern College? A:I was at Loretto College Rose-Hill from Form 1 to 5. Indeed, yes, I moved there because LCRH was too far from home. I believe it is a very important factor to consider and very often parents neglect it. In our society there is a very strong belief that schools found in cities/towns are far superior to the ones found in ‘rural areas’ but I suppose that, in someway, I proved them that they were wrong this time. Moreover, I must point out that the transport system in Mauritius isn’t very reliable and thus, this adds to the students anxiety, which indeed affects his/her education. One of the main contributing factors to my success has been going to school near home. I had a lot of energy to study when I came back home. Hence, I could find time for myself and I had a balanced lifestyle although I did study a lot. In fact, to say things simply, I was healthy and happy because I had a lot of energy and didn’t travel long distances. Q:What about your apprehensions towards moving from LCRH to Modern College? A: Considering the specifics of both institutions, the transition was initially not an easy one. First, I had to put up with a new learning environment, with an utterly different work culture. For instance, at Modern College the staff was accessible to me at any time round the clock, even during the weekends and during school vacations. This meant that more personal work could be done under their guidance. Secondly, the rector was closely monitoring my progress and, as and when required, made available to me instructional materials from various sources especially from different examining bodies, free of charge. Thirdly, believing as the management does in the concept of ‘’perfect practice makes perfect’’, I was regularly assigned written tasks and the necessary feedback was given to me. I also moved to Modern College because even if it is a mixed abilities school, streaming does take place. Hence, students who are more motivated and can learn faster are taught differently while those who take slightly more time to adapt and learn are taken particular care of in another class. This does not hinder the progress of any student and in this case, I am pro-streaming because I have witnessed the benefits. While some students were able to finish the syllabus early others took more time but both worked equally well for the exams and had the required support. I suppose streaming just allows each student to find a system in which they adapt and can work with easily. I also feel it is important to mention that at Modern College students are given ‘ one-to-one ‘ attention from teachers in some particular subjects when they are having trouble coping with a subject and I believe this is a real boon. Furthermore, the additional ‘’extension’’ classes offered for free allow students to optimise their learning time with the help of teachers. Q: By contrast, you make LCRH sound indifferent to its students. You cannot deny that LCRH contributed to your ultimate success, right? A:Although Modern College has enabled me to rise above the lot and attain academic excellence, I must acknowledge that the Loretto College of Rose-hill had laid the foundation of my educational edifice. From then I started working harder and harder until I could reach the required standard. But with hindsight I consider that had I attended any other institution for my HSC, I would not have been able to give the performance I had given thanks to the supportive and conducive learning environment that prevails at the Modern College. During these last two years I have been able to operate in a sort of microcosm and learn to interact with people coming from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. This experience has had a lasting impact on my perception of life and has led me to look forward to sharing what know and what I have learned from others. Against such a backdrop, I consider that my full potential was unlocked and I could therefore give the best of myself. Q: But student life at Modern College cannot be THAT perfect; did you face difficulties there? A:In fact, I didn’t have many problems at school when it came to classes, homework or classwork. The most difficult moment was taking part in an examination in a center which wasn’t my own school. Unfortunately some other private schools in Flacq I will not name are not equipped to take care of students taking part in their A-levels practical courses. They lack the proper infrastructure, equipment and even the proper level of hygiene. Hence, the schools do not have proper working environment for candidates and I believe all schools must have a certain standard in order to be appointed as examination center. I also believe that invigilators must be properly briefed as to what is allowed and what isn’t, because I have witnessed a case where invigilators/supervisors, in a center other than my school, lacked the proper know-how and experience to deal with certain specific cases. Q: Okay, but there is this public image gap between LCRH and Modern College. How would you rate Modern College in terms of public opinion? Did it change after the HSC results with you as a laureate? A: I believe the people have made an opinion of the institution without getting to know it properly themselves. Thus, there is a lot of groundless beliefs but yes, I believe it is about to change now. Maybe I did contribute to these changes, yet during the past few years we have had students who were ranked regularly for A-levels, and people did start to pay particular attention to the institution from then on. These days I’ve seen parents transferring their child from other schools to Modern College because of the services and conducive learning environment it offers. Q: Let's talk about your future? What are your plans so far? A: I have not really made up my mind but I am envisaging something pertaining to engineering. Q: You no longer need to return to Mauritius after your degree but is there anything expected from you by the government? Do you intend to return though? A:I believe we are expected to return because scholarships represent a form of investment to the government. I do intend to return but of course, I don’t know when because I don’t know what the future holds for me. I will also have to consider job prospects here, but I’ll see than when I finish my degree. Q: Well, thanks a lot. Mot de la fin? A:The key to my success here has been that application of the motto of Modern College every day, which is ‘’Success depends on the proper use of time’’. There is no secret procedure to become a laureate and as I said, any body attending any school in any part of Mauritius who is committed and dedicated can become a laureate, but of course, the necessary ‘tools’ are vital and the expert guidance of her/her teachers and his/her parents . Also, I have been, all the time, focused on my goals and consistent with regard to the effort I have put in my work. At this institution I learned an intrinsic principle, that is, not only to work hard but also to work smart. Being a laureate also acts as a springboard to me because it will allow me to pursue my higher studies in a prestigious foreign university where I will be exposed to a different culture and the best educational practices in my chosen field.Finally, and most importantly, it represents the summation of 2 years of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. I would also like to thank the Modern College community, my parents , my brothers and sisters and above all, I would like to thank my mum, Rooksanah Anathallee, for her patience, dedication, love and kindness and for believing in me when sometimes, I failed to believe in myself. As a matter of fact, without her never-ending support, I believe I would never have become a laureate. Well, you heard her story. Now it is up to you to voice out your opinion. Do YOU think distance is a deciding factor in one's education? Do you have anecdotes for us? Unexpected success-stories? Feel free to share them with us by leaving comments! Sine Cera
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