The top Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) pupil in Tobago is 11-year-old Arron Ramroop of the St Andrew's Anglican School in Calder Hall.

Ramroop, who shyly received the news of his success said he was happy his years of hard work had paid off.

Originally from New Grant, Princess Town, Trinidad, Ramroop passed for his first choice Presentation College, San Fernando. His family plans to relocate over the holidays.

"I just studied hard and did my work," he said.

Asked what advice he would give to students to achieve similar success, he said, "I just tell them to just always study hard and learn your work," Ramroop said. He added that one of his secrets is to check and double check his work.

Ramroop got 98 per cent in the SEA Examination and he now plans to spend even more time with his family.

His excited teacher, Eulalyn Burris, a teacher for the past 36 years, described him as one of her best students.

She said Ramroop was never selfish with his ability, as he would assist the weaker students, in the 5B class when he concluded his assignments.

"I feel very happy. I am happy for Arron and his family, happy for my school, and the whole of Tobago, the Education Department, everybody. Arron is a student any teacher would like to teach. He does not forget anything you tell him, he is very humble, he has a passion for his work, he attacks his work," Burris said.

Ramroop's sister Anushka was ecstatic about his achievement.

She said the family decided to return to Trinidad since there are a lot more opportunities, and his cousin is also a pupil of Presentation College. He also has another relative at Naparima Girls' High School. She said her brother studied hard to achieve his goal.

"His studying method was basically as soon as he got homework he used to come home and do his homework every day one time, and then he could play and do whatever," Ramroop said.

The second placed Tobago pupil is 11-year-old Elena Aaron of the Lambeau Anglican School, while third place went to Scarborough Methodist. Aaron said her mother never pressured her to succeed.

Asked what was her study method she said, "I just studied well. My mother did not pressure me or anything. I just did my best," Aaron said.