Edexcel, the leading United Kingdom and International awarding body, has announced that from May 2005 it will be running a new awards programme with financial prizes to recognise the outstanding achievement of candidates in Pakistan who sit its London Examination GCE O and A level qualifications.

Students with the highest marks in each of the regional centres of Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi will receive £250.  And the centre with the highest overall student achievement in the same examinations will receive £500.

Edexcel International already runs a scheme for students in Pakistan that sees candidates with the highest overall results in their GCE O and A level examinations visit the UK for a short educational study visit.  The visits are managed by the British Council and prize-winners see the UK at first hand and have the opportunity to discuss issues with students in schools across England.

The highest-achieving 2004 London Examinations candidates will be awarded medallions and certificates at the annual Award Ceremonies organised by the British Council in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi during February.  During the ceremony in Islamabad, Edexcel International’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, Mark Andrews, will be awarding a plaque and a cheque for £500 to Roots Montessori and High School to recognise the school’s achievement as an Edexcel ‘Centre of Academic Excellence’. 

Mark said: “These new awards provide us with an opportunity to recognise the excellent achievements of students and teachers in Pakistan. They also demonstrate the commitment of Edexcel International to the schools and candidates of Pakistan. We are grateful to British Council examination staff in Pakistan for their assistance in the administration of our London Examinations.”

Further information about the full range of Edexcel’s academic and vocational qualifications can be obtained from Edexcel International’s Regional Development Adviser in Pakistan, Suhail Zafar, e-mail: suhail.zafar@edexcel.org.uk or from www.edexcelinternational.org.uk
 
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Edexcel is the largest awarding body offering the joint currencies of academic and vocational qualifications in the UK and across 110 countries worldwide. Qualifications include GNVQs, NVQs, international GCSE, A/S and A levels, and the suite of BTEC qualifications including the BTEC Higher National Certificate and Diploma.

It has ten regional offices and offers qualifications in over 112 countries around the world.
 
For further information in Pakistan contact Edexcel International’s Regional Development Adviser in Pakistan, Suhail Zafar, e-mail: suhail.zafar@edexcel.org.uk
For general Edexcel media information contact Stevie Pattison-Dick, Media Affairs Manager on 020 7190 5190 or email stevie.pattison-dick@edexcel.org.uk