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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
President of the College of the Bahamas Dr. Rodney Smith, left, greets the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, Prime Minister, just before the start of the 2016 National Bursary Scholar Award programme on Saturday, August 13 at the Harry C. Moore Library, COB. Looking on is Minister of Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald. The ceremony highlighted the 417 students who received scholarships from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to attend The College of the Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas - The 417 students who received scholarships from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to attend The College of the Bahamas, were urged to maximize the opportunity for their future and country.
The charge came from the Minister of Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald in his remarks during the 2016 National Bursary Scholar Awards Ceremony held Saturday, August 13, at the Harry C. Moore Library of The College of The Bahamas (COB).
“I implore all of you to take full advantage of this opportunity that is being afforded to you. Take in as much as you can and use your education to create a better and brighter future for yourselves and our country,” he said.
The award programme was established 38 years ago to provide Bahamian students an opportunity to pursue a college degree, when economic reasons may have prevented them from doing so.
Another objective of the National Bursary Award is to enable Bahamians to participate in the development and well-being of the country, through education.
Criteria for the award is that applicants must have obtained a minimum of five Bahamas General Certificates of Secondary Education (BGCSE) subject passes with a grade of “C” or above. Mathematics and English Language are compulsory. Students who are already in attendance at The College of the Bahamas may obtain the Bursary Award by maintaining for a minimum of one year, a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
The Bursary Award Committee met to decide the top students for the scholarships, from amongst the public and independent senior high schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama and select Family Islands.
To the recipients, Mr. Fitzgerald said he hoped they are able to encourage and inspire their peers to become fully engaged in their learning.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald addresses the 417 students who received scholarships from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to attend The College of the Bahamas. The recipients were introduced at the 2016 National Bursary Scholar Award Ceremony on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at the Harry C. Moore Library, COB. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)
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“We need you to champion the cause for education and life-long learning; as your lives become a testimony of the positive impact of education.”
The minister then reiterated the Government’s commitment to education -- the value of scholarships for the National Scholarship programme increased from $5.72 million in 2001 to $11.7 million in 2016 – an increase of 107percent.
The total scholarship budget has more than doubled in allocation from $7.7 million in 2011 to $16 million in 2016.
Moreover, the Government’s commitment to COB Scholarship has increased by 63 percent from $3.2 million in 2014 to $5.2 million in 2016.
“The investment in our young people has more than doubled in four short years. We will remain unwavering in our support for students who desire to pursue tertiary education,” he said.
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Perry Christie delivered the keynote address, underscoring the importance of tertiary education as COB transitions into a University. COB President Dr. Rodney Smith also echoed sentiments of encouragement to the scholarship recipients.
Special awards inclusive of tablets and laptops were given to students who did exceptionally well on their BGCSEs.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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