FOR 11-year-old Neeraj Sahukar of Creative Kids Learning Academy, success in the 2026 sitting of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination did not happen by chance.

It was the result of months of disciplined preparation, unwavering determination, and the steadfast support of his family, teachers, and friends.

Neeraj emerged as the top-performing boy in this year’s PEP examinations, a remarkable achievement that has earned him a place at his first-choice school, Campion College, where he is eager to begin the next chapter of his academic journey.

“I prepared by studying consistently every day and following a schedule. I practised lots of past papers, reviewed my mistakes, and asked my teachers and parents for help whenever I didn’t understand something. I also made sure to get enough rest before the exams,” he told JIS News in an interview.

The student shared that mathematics is his favourite subject, because he enjoys solving problems and challenging himself.

He also likes that there are often different ways to solve the same problem, which makes it interesting and fun.

He found language arts to be most challenging, sharing that he sometimes found it difficult to fully understand the reading passages.

“However, I kept practising my reading comprehension and worked hard to improve,” he said.

Beyond the classroom, Neeraj balanced his studies with an active interest in robotics, an extra-curricular activity he believes strengthened his academic performance.

“Being involved in robotics also taught me discipline, problem solving, and time management, which helped in my studies,” he said.

Recounting his reaction when PEP results were released, he said he was very excited, grateful, and a little surprised.

“At first, I couldn’t believe it, because all the hard work and preparation had finally paid off. When I found out I was the top PEP boy, I felt proud and happy, but I also felt thankful. I thank God, my parents, my teachers, and everyone who supported me and encouraged me throughout my journey. It was a very special moment that I will always remember, and it is motivating me to keep working hard and doing my best in high school,” Neeraj said.

He shared that his teachers, family, and friends all played an important role in his success.

He highlighted that his teachers made many sacrifices to help him succeed through the countless hours they spent preparing lessons and teaching.

“My parents supported me every step of the way, motivated me to keep working hard, and always believed in me. My friends also encouraged me and we motivated each other to do our best,” he shared.

As he prepares to transition to high school, his desire is to keep learning, challenge himself, and take advantage of opportunities that will help him grow academically and personally.

Although medicine is currently his leading career aspiration because of his desire to improve people’s lives by contributing to their health and well-being, his passion for robotics has also sparked interest in entrepreneurship, technology, and engineering.

“Whatever path I choose, I want to continue working hard, stay dedicated, and make a meaningful impact,” Neeraj said.

His mother, Bharathi Sangappa, explained that she supported her only child by creating a structured routine that included dedicated study time, rest, and time to enjoy his hobbies.

She added that she encouraged him, helped him stay organised, and communicated frequently with his teachers.

“That Sunday morning, I was fast asleep. It was when the principal called me and said, ‘Dr Bharathi, did you look at the newspaper?’ I told her no. She told me to open the newspaper and see, and I couldn’t believe. I was overwhelmed with joy, gratitude, and pride. It was a very emotional moment because I knew how much effort Neeraj had put in preparing for these exams. So his hard work, dedication, and commitment was really rewarded, and that was a very special moment of my life,” his mother shared.

She expressed deep gratitude to God, Neeraj’s teachers, and everyone who supported him throughout his PEP journey.

His mother plans to continue supporting him, primarily with managing his time, since Neeraj will have an increased workload that comes with high school.

“I shall also remind him to be humble, focused, and committed to excellence.

“I also want him to maintain a balance between his studies, robotics, and other interests,” she said.

— JIS News