Winners are a class act

Good friends, family encouragement and clear goals are the keys to success, top students said yesterday.

More than 1,100 primary students from 620 schools, proudly displaying Most Improved Primary Pupils Awards for academic improvements last year, are urging their peers to match their efforts.

Ng Wah College Primary School student Chan Nok-man, 10, was among the worst performers in his class two years ago, but rocketed into the top five after choosing high-achieving friends in his new class.

'I have a very good friend sitting next to me. He's very hard-working; we study and do homework together,' Nok-man said.

The scheme yesterday called for new nominations from schools and will present the 1996 prizes in January.