An Outstanding Achievement At Grade 5 Scholarship Exam
View(s):When Shazni Shafan signed his papers for the Grade Five Scholarship examination, he aspired to become a top achiever at the exam. Months of hard work later, he is basking in the glory of success, just like Asterix and the magic potion. As the results of the examination were released this month, Shazni, a student of Zahira College Colombo, knew he had done justice to his Alma Mater.
M.S.Shazni
This week, the Education Times spoke to the 10-year old inspiration who scored 195 marks at the Grade Five Scholarship exam – just five points shy of the grand total. What makes his feat special is his proven ability to attempt the exam in Sinhala while being tutored in the English Medium. For him, it is all about being exposed to the language.
“I watch news, cartoons and programmes in Sinhala. I converse in Sinhala at home as well,” Shazni says when questioned about his bilingual capabilities. He does not draw a veil over his knowledge of Tamil as well. “I can manage to speak in Tamil,” he adds, spelling out an indication that the day on which he can be branded as a tri-lingual individual, is not too far away.
Shazni attributes his success primarily to his parents and teachers. He says that his father supported him financially while his mother played a huge role in tutoring him at home. “I wanted to score above 190 marks,” he recalls. Although the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools shut for several months, Shazni says he attended online classes, signalling that it did not impede his studies. He thanks the Principal, Head of Primary, the Sectional Head, and his teachers for their support.
But it is not all about studies for Shazni, an active cub scout, who also plays cricket and chess for his college. But he emphasizes that the key to success is balance. “I always struck a balance between my extra-curricular activities and studies,” he says confidently. Shazni is on the verge of achieving the Gold Star Award – the highest level in cub scouting. He has also won awards in several competitions such as art, handwriting and essay.
Shazni’s linguistic capabilities are reflected in his hobbies which includes penning down stories. In other words, he is a budding author. “I have written two stories. I am writing a comic book at present,” he tells adding that he is an avid reader who loves reading comic books. He says that his pastime is spent in drawing and playing cricket as well.
On the lines of ambitions, Shazni speaks with a tone of adaptability. He says that he first dreamt of becoming a pilot. But with visual acuity surfacing as a limitation, the undeterred 10-year old says he has transformed his ambition to become an engineer. As he progresses through the journey of education, he seems determined he would make it.
While one wishes for Shazni’s continued success, he, on the other hand, is hoping for his peers to succeed at forthcoming examinations and to bring glory to their alma mater. Study and Play, but strike a balance remains his ethos.