Wards of the State Honoured

A total of 44 students were honoured on November 28 for their  outstanding performances in the 2014 Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The students, who are wards of the State, were presented with plaques and scholarships by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller and Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, during the 3^rd annual educational achievement awards ceremony, held at the Terra Nova Hotel on Waterloo Road, in Kingston.

Congratulating the awardees, the Prime Minister encouraged them to continue to strive for excellence and to persevere in spite of their circumstances.

Among the top recipients was McKoy McNish, who was presented with a scholarship for $1 million by the Portia Simpson Miller Foundation (PSMF), to finance his tertiary education.

The 19-year-old was successful in 10 CSEC subjects, with nine distinctions and one credit, and five CAPE subjects, all with distinctions.

Mr. McKoy, who is currently in his first year of medical school at the University of the West Indies, Mona, said he is grateful for the honour, pointing out that without the assistance of the Government and the PSMF he would not be able to pursue higher education.

Ms. Hanna, for her part, said the purpose of the awards function was to highlight, promote, celebrate and encourage those children in State care who continue to persevere and succeed, despite their less than ideal circumstances.

She noted that the positive achievements of all children should be highlighted and applauded.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Child Development Agency (CDA), Rosalee Gage-Grey, also commended the awardees on their outstanding academic achievements. “I urge you to keep the spirit of excellence throughout your lives. Combine that academic pursuit with strong character and love and respect for others,” she encouraged.

She noted that the CDA, with the support of the Ministry and the wider government, has committed to ensuring that children in the care of the State have access to quality education.

Mrs. Gage-Grey informed that the agency continues to partner with both the public and private sectors to support the educational pursuits of children in State care.

“For example, through the input of our Advisory Board, the Ministry of Education has, for the past two years, paid the exam fees for both CSEC and CAPE for all children in State care,” she said.

Mrs. Gage-Grey further informed that this year the Ministry of Education has committed to pay the tuition fees for some 34 wards of the State who have matriculated to tertiary institutions.

The 3^rd annual Educational Achievement Awards Ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Youth and Culture and the Child Development Agency, as part of events in recognition of Youth Month 2014.

Youth Month 2014 is being celebrated under the theme: ‘Youth advance: Not leaving it to chance’.