The scholarships valued at EC $12,500 were awarded to the Estridge, Violet Petty, Joshua Obadiah Williams and the Edgar T Morris primary schools on Tuesday 23rd November, at the Estridge Primary School.
The event was attended by students from the four schools, parents and teachers, along with education officials from the Ministry of Education.
Minister with responsibility for Education, Nigel Carty, who was also in attendance, told the gathering that his ministry embraces the initiative by Minister Harris and urged parents of the students, to ensure that the scholarships are put to good use.
“There are many unfortunate persons who have not had the opportunity to go on to secondary school because of financial circumstances, but with initiatives such as this, it makes it possible for you,” Carty told the gathering.
He also commended Minister Harris for undertaking the task for assisting the students.
“Your work will not go unnoticed, because not often do you find an individual who will go about raising over twelve thousand dollars to ensure that these young ones have a secondary education. I commend you in celebrating your 17 year as a Member of Parliament for this area (St Christopher #7) and making this initiative a part of your week of activities speaks of your commitment to serve the people who have supported you over the years,” the Minister concluded.
Meanwhile, the man of the hour, Minister Harris, who presented the scholarships, also had a few words of wisdom for the awardees.
“I want each of you students here to know that Minister Harris appreciates you. I love all of you. I want you to live successful lives. I want you to be a responsible and productive person…
“If you learn all you can in school you will be on the way to making a success of your lives. You will live a respectable life. You will appreciate it is better to work for what you want rather than to steal, rob or lie for it. You will, in time, come to appreciate that it is better to give than to receive. And some time in the future, you too will give back to your schools, your parents, guardians, community and country…