Bangalore-based Pavan Chitta and Guru Sarjith Senthil — class XI students of the Cambridge International Examinations (UK)-affiliated Greenwood High International School — were conferred Cambridge Outstanding Learners’ Award certificates for topping CIE’s IGCSE (class X) examination in India. The awards were declared in November. Apart from trophies and medals, Pavan and Guru have also won full and partial scholarships awarded by Greenwood High for outstanding academic achievement.

The elder child of IT professionals Sridhar and Anu Chitta, Pavan is the all-India IGCSE topper in eight out of nine subjects.

“The results are an unexpected surprise because I switched from the ICSE syllabus to CIE only two years ago. But thanks to my teachers, I didn’t need any tuition support. They were thorough and methodical in preparing us for the IGCSE exam,” says Pavan, also a die-hard football fan.       

Robotics enthusiast and topper in computer science, Guru is as euphoric about Greenwood High faculty. “I commend all my teachers, especially Ms. Indukala for her support and guidance in my favourite subject. Under their supervision, I secured an ‘A’ in all subjects and maxed the computer science exam,” he says.

These precocious teens also express appreciation for the IGCSE syllabus/curriculum. “Conceptual learning is at the core of the CIE curriculum. The IGCSE exam tests critical thinking and problem-solving skills rather than memory,” says Pavan.

After graduating in math/physics, Pavan wants to do business management. “I want to develop the skill-sets required to become a successful entrepreneur who will contribute cutting-edge products, processes and solutions to society,” he says.

On the other hand, Guru aspires to study computer science engineering and do “deep research” to develop simulators.
Way to go!

Paromita Sengupta (Bangalore)