Barita Foundation Awards $10 Million in Scholarships and Bursaries

Twenty-three scholarships and 10 bursaries, valued at approximately $10 million have been awarded to students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels by the Barita Foundation.

The presentations were made during the Foundation’s inaugural scholarship awards ceremony, which was held on August 10 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Scholarships were awarded to seven students who sat the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) and are transitioning to high school, six students preparing for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), and four pursuing studies at the tertiary level.

In addition, four individuals were awarded the Rita Humphries-Lewin scholarship to pursue studies in early-childhood education. Two staff members of Barita were also awarded scholarships for further studies.

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, who was the guest speaker, said that education is fundamental to social development and growth. “We need to unleash the potential embedded in our children.

There is no better tool for doing so than through education,” she said. Commending Barita Foundation, Mrs. Williams said the Ministry greatly appreciates the support to the education sector, especially the promotion of equity within schools, through the provision of opportunity for students to pursue both their educational and extracurricular dreams.

The Inaugural Barita Foundation Scholarship Programme was launched in May of this year in recognition of Barita Investments Limited’s founder, Rita Humphries-Lewin’s contribution to early-childhood education in Jamaica.

Executive Director of the Barita Foundation Scholarship Programme, Tanketa Chance-Wilson, said that the initiative presents an opportunity to support students whose talent and promise exceed their financial resources.

The awards also seek to encourage youth to become active contributors to building their communities, promote education/financial literacy as a catalyst for social change, and develop transformative leaders.