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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Public School Scholarship Recipients with Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald, centre right; Director of Education Lionel Sands, centre left; Scholarship Resource Centre Consultant Monique Hinsey, front row, left; and partners who helped make the awards possible. (Photo/Courtesy Ministry of Education)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas (July 27) – The Bahamas Government is investing $5.5 million in 4-year scholarships to tertiary level institutions in the United States and Canada for 57 public school students.
The Minister of Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald announced and congratulated the Public School Scholars awardees during a ceremony at The College of The Bahamas Harry C. Moore Library, July 25, 2016.
In attendance were Education officials, teachers and administrators, university and college stakeholders, parents and well-wishers, representatives of the Public School Scholarship Committee, the Ministry of Education’s Scholarships and Loans Division and the Scholarship Resource Centre. Music was provided by the Anatol Rogers Ensemble.
The Public School Scholars Award is given to deserving high school graduates of the public school system to pursue undergraduate post-secondary education or a technical and vocational field of study in areas of national interest. Candidates must achieve a GPA of 2.75-3.00 and higher and 4 BGCSEs with Cs and above to qualify for either academic or technical and vocational Public School Scholars Awards. They must be involved in extracurricular activities and make contributions to their schools and communities.
The 2016 recipients hail from the Family Islands and New Providence; some of them are the first in their family to receive a college education.
The New Providence senior high schools include: Anatol Rogers, C.I Gibson, C. V. Bethel, R. M. Bailey, C.C. Sweeting, Doris Johnson and C.R. Walker. The Family Island senior high schools are: Inagua All Age School, Central Andros, North Andros, Jack Hayward, N.G.M. Major, Abaco Central, S.C. Bootle, Samuel Guy Pinder and R.N. Gomez All Age School.
The students are pursuing areas of study including Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Creative Writing, Pharmaceutical Studies, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Finance, Aviation Management, Meteorology, Carpentry and Sports Management.
Minister Fitzgerald, in his special remarks, said the awards are all a part of the government’s doubling its investment in education from 7.75 million dollars in 2011 to 16.2 million in 2016.
“Next year, I have committed to increasing the number of Public School Scholarship recipients to 100 and from there the plan is to double that number by 2019 to 200 recipients. This is no small feat, but I believe that we can and we must accomplish this goal.”
He told the students that he is impressed with their insight, brilliance and fortitude and proud of their commitment to their schools, communities and education.
He reminded the recipients of their ambassadorial responsibilities to do their best and represent The Bahamas well.
“We believe in spending the resources to develop each and every one of you and we hope that you go on to develop yourselves and then come back and create a stronger and more modern nation right here in our small, but mighty country.
“We are counting on your research, innovation and enterprise so that we are able to continue this cycle of giving and continue to improve our society and our economy at large,” said Minister Fitzgerald.
Minister Fitzgerald recognized and thanked Philanthropist Leland Boren, and university partners: Fanshawe College, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Polytechnic University, Texas Southern University, Middle Tennessee State University, Holland College, State University, Central State University, Monroe College and Taylor University.
Also participating in the ceremony was Michelle Bowleg, Acting Superintendent for Andros; Lionel Sands, Director of Education; Monique Hinsey, Consultant, Scholarship Resource Centre; Reginald Saunders, Administrator, Scholarship and Educational Loans Division and 2016 Public School Scholars.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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