The school auditorium was full to the brim with the students, their parents and teachers. Drum beatings in the background added colour to the festivity, as the highest academic achievers were given a reception yesterday.

"Today I am extremely happy with the feeling that I have received recognition for all the studies I did in the last 10 years," said Tajkir Kabir Anannya of the science group before receiving a gift from Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, who was present as the chief guest.

The guardians, mostly the mothers of the students, were busy clicking their cameras to capture the emotion of the moment when the minister was giving away a set of books to each of the students as a token of recognition.

Out of 776 examinees from the institution, 464 students, mostly from the science group, obtained GPA-5. Of the highest achievers, only 53 students are from the commerce group and eight from the arts group.

Kabir Anannya, who aspires to become an architect in the future, says the academic environment at the Viqarunnisa and the cooperation of her teachers and parents helped her the most in achieving the success.

"I think that the student politics and session jams are very damaging for the education system of the country. All, including the students and the political leaders, must come forward to put an end to these problems," she said.

Rezbin Dilruba, another student, said that the women's education, particularly in the rural areas, should be given more emphasis as most of the girls live in villages and they drop out of schools due to social and economic reasons.

Congratulating the students for their extraordinary results, Finance Minister Saifur Rahman said women should have to come forward with their talent and education to contribute to the nation-building.

"There should be more schools like Viqarunnisa, where there is a perfect environment of education," he said, add-ing that the government always gives importance to women's education.

The credit of the success goes to all -- students, teachers and the guardians, said Rowena Hossain, principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College.

Alhaj Mosaddek Ali MP, chairman of the school governing body and its members Md Baki Hossain, Md Monir Hossain, Nilufer Islam and Rawshan Ali Bhuiyan were also present at the reception.