THE SHIPPING Association of Jamaica, under its annual education assistance programme for children of employees presented seven new scholarships to students who were successful in the recent Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), and renewed 27 scholarships for those already in the system.
The new scholarship recipients are Adrian Tapper, Kadeen Farquharson, Ramon Belafonte, Chantel Cuckett, Travis Ellis, Michael Blackwood, and Andre Smalling. The presentations were made recently during a brief
ceremony with the scholarship-recipients and their parents at the SAJ Complex in Newport West.
Acting General Manager of the SAJ, Belva Barned, in her comments, said the Association was pleased to be able to offer the scholarships as part of its commitment to education and nation
building. Giving an overview of the programme, SAJ's Human Resource Development Manager, Burnett Coke said the tenure of the scholarships was five years after the initial offering, and would only continue if students successfully completed each school year and were promoted to a higher grade or form. Students are required to maintain good academic grades to remain in the programme.
Guest speaker at the ceremony, Claudette Pious, Founder/Executive Director of the Children First, a non-government child development organisation, commended the
students and encouraged their
parents to give necessary support during their children's school years. She warned of the influence of unmonitored television and Internet use as well as peer pressure, which could easily mislead youngsters.
"Parents, you have to ensure that you have a good relationship with your children. If your children are afraid of you it is not good. Get close to your children..." she advised, while imploring the
students to be focused in their
studies and strive for excellence, as certification is important in today's work environment.
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