Carl Bliss (left), JN Group human resource executive, presents Kristoff Baker, a first-form student at Campion College, with a scholarship award for achieving a 93 per cent average in the 2007 Grade Six Achievement Test. Kristoff's father, George Baker (centre), JNBS process analysis and improvement manager, said he was extremely proud of his son who always maintains excellence in his school work.

Twenty-one students, who sat this year's Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), have been awarded scholarships by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS). The awardees are 14 youngsters, one from each parish, and seven children of JNBS employees.

The awards are part of the JNBS Scholarship Programme and cover tuition and attendant expenses for the next five years for all recipients, 13 of whom are girls, and eight boys.

Speaking at the presentations at JNBS's chief office, Carl Bliss, JN Group human resource executive, highlighted the challenges faced by parents in meeting school expenses, either as a result of unemployment or their incomes being pegged to the minimum wage. He also underscored the key role which institutions such as JNBS must play in assisting these persons.

"We believe that the education of our children is a critical component of national development. In this regard, JNBS is aware of its responsibility in helping to develop the minds of our youngsters as we prepare them to assume the mantle of leadership," Mr. Bliss said.

"It is on this premise that the society continues to maintain its commitment to helping students pursue their education," he added.

Scholarships provided

Over the past 24 years, JNBS has provided more than 200 scholarships to students who have taken the Common Entrance and GSAT exams, to help to cover their educational costs up to grade 11.

Additionally, JNBS awards eight scholarships and five bursaries annually to students attending the University of the West Indies, University of Technology, and Northern Caribbean University.

Awardee elated

One of the GSAT scholarship recipients, 12-year-old Kristoff Baker, was elated at being named among this year's awardees. Kristoff, who currently attends Campion College, said the award will assist him in fulfilling his dream of becoming either a chemical or computer engineer.

"I am really happy to receive a scholarship and am looking forward to going to my new school," he said.

Dorsette Phillips, an unemployed mother, bemoaned the difficulty she experiences in funding her children's education. She pointed out that the scholarship which her daughter received provides some measure of relief with her tuition and attendant expenses.

"Thankfully, my daughter's school expenses will be more manageable and I am appreciative of the fact that I will receive this assistance over the next five years," Ms. Phillips pointed out.

Past JNBS scholarship awardee, Samuel Martin, who recently graduated from the William Knibb High School in Trelawny, expressed his gratitude for the assistance received with his secondary education.

"It has been an honour for me to be the focus of such worthwhile attention and support. Being a member of the JN family has opened my eyes to the fact that there are still persons in the world who care that children should go to school," Martin said.