Education Minister says more students could be awarded scholarships and exhibitions

Despite Harrison College taking all the scholarships and the vast majority of exhibitions this year, Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw has put the country on notice that more awardees could be announced once the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) completes its review of exam results.

Speaking during the announcement of the winners at the Barbados Community College (BCC) today, Bradshaw said the number of recipients of 2020 scholarships and exhibitions is likely to rise.

Today, the Ministry of Education announced that 11 students of Harrison College were awarded scholarships while 12 were recipients of exhibitions. One exhibition was awarded to a Christ Church Foundation student and BCC received two exhibitions, while Queen’s College was awarded three exhibitions.

“While you are the first batch of students to be recognised, I just want to make the point that whenever we have had this process of announcing scholarships and exhibition winners, oftentimes there are results that come back in after this date, and we are sometimes forced to go back to Cabinet to recognise additional persons,” Bradshaw told the awardees.

“So it is not unusual that we are announcing today, the winners at this particular point in time. But the fact remains that over the course of the next few days and weeks you may actually have additional scholarship and exhibition winners that very well may join you in celebrating their achievements as well, and we look forward to adding to that process.”

This year’s scholars are: Amir Alleyne, Jara Emtage-Cave, Melanie Gill, Brianna Williams, Andraya Forde, Matthew Edghill, Annisa Hunte, Dylan Marshall, Christian McIntosh-Clarke, Danielle Shepherd, and Siraj Nakhuda.

The Harrison College students who received exhibitions are: Alik Beckles, Tia Haynes, Mateo Sam, ReeAnn Morris, Kaylah Durant, Akobi Forde, Winette Mamny, Jessica Kodilinye, Jencee Sealy, Kaylee Hodgkinson, Xavion Lowe, and Jorissa Barnett.

Queens College’s Zionte Baptiste, Tavia Gilkes and Zoe Harris were awarded exhibitions. Alexis Daniel from Christ Church Foundation qualified for an exhibition and the BCC’s Adonai Mason and Deimario Callender were also awarded exhibitions.

Bradshaw told the winners they had performed well, despite the challenges they faced amid the COVID-19 environment which led to them having to complete examinations under pressure.

The Minister assured the achievers that she was looking forward to their future success. However, she reminded them that to whom much is given much is expected, and asked them not to forget to give back to the society which has given them a good foundation, even if they seek employment opportunities overseas after completing their studies.

“But I ask each of you, that as you go on your journey to do great things for this country, to always keep at the forefront of your mind, Barbados. And it doesn’t mean that you have to come back to Barbados to give back, but it may mean that in everything that you do that you see yourselves as ambassadors of this country and also that you find a way, in whatever you are doing, to give back and to try to pull the next generation along so that they too can be encouraged by what you have done as well,” she said.

Bradshaw said while there had been some difficulties with the Give Back programme for persons accessing state sponsorship at tertiary institutions, due to the COVID-19 environment, the programme was back up and running.

“And while many of you may be going overseas, and we may not have a formal structure for you to give back, at the end of the day it is important that as you take advantage of this opportunity that you find a way, whether it’s in the summer vacation, Easter vacation, or Christmas vacation, to be able to remember this little island and that we are all rooting for you, but equally in whatever you are doing, you must find a way to assist us down the line,” she said.
(anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb)