Minister of Education and Human Resource Development Ronald Jones.??

Plans are afoot to track the contribution of Barbados??? scholarship winners to the island???s development, when they enter the job market on completion of their studies at University.

Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones, gave this undertaking to pay closer attention to the progress of this ???select group,??? during a recent meeting at the Ministry???s Constitution Road, St. Michael, Headquarters.

He said: ???We have not been able to track the out-turn of persons who have been awarded Scholarships and Exhibitions by the Government.?? So, we [Ministry of Education], will be doing that to gauge your contribution to national development and the society, as you undertake your studies in whatever discipline.???

The Minister further stated: ???At the end of the day, the country must benefit from the investment of the people. Barbados has exported many of its brightest citizens to other cultures, who have developed a substantial body of work that not only had an impact on Barbados??? development, but also led to the recognition of the island???s services in international spheres.???????????

Mr. Jones also urged the scholars, particularly those pursuing studies in medicine, to aim for training in a specialist area. ???Suppose one of you bright young people could come up with a cure for HIV/AIDS, think of the possibilities of the amount of money that Barbados can make.?? That discovery would be a major and substantial investment for the people of Barbados and for your education.???

Meanwhile, Minister of State in the Ministry, Patrick Todd, congratulated the students and advised them to ???be cognisant of the taxes that are paid by Barbadians to fund the scholarships and to remain humble and never condescend???.

Permanent Secretary, Anthony Layne, urged the parents to be supportive of their children???s success, while Deputy Chief Education Officer, Dr. Idamay Denny, applauded the young persons for attaining scholarships even though the criteria had been changed.

Senior Education Officer, Dr. Sylvia Henry, encouraged the students to keep in regular contact with the Ministry.

Harrison College was awarded 10 scholarships in this year???s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), followed closely by Queen???s College, with eight.

Queen???s College also gained 10 exhibitions, with Harrison College and the Barbados Community College (BCC) both acquiring three, and Combermere two. ????The Award of Excellence went to Stephen Evelyn of the BCC.?? jwilson@barbados.gov.bb

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