Education Minister, Ronald Jones. (FP)
With a total of 15 scholarships and 11 exhibitions, Queen’s College has received the lion’s share of the 45 scholarships distributed this year.
This was revealed by Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, who disclosed that in addition to Queen’s College’s 26 winners, Harrison College received 11 scholarships and five exhibitions; The Foundation School, one exhibition; and the Barbados Community College, two Exhibitions.
Speaking this morning at the meet-and-greet of the Scholarship and Exhibition winners in the Lecture Theatre at Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, Pine Hill, St. Michael, Mr. Jones lauded the winners for their dedication and success.
Acknowledging that teaching at times could be a “brutal task”, the Minister identified “parent interest” as the single most important criteria for the success of a child.
He continued: “Parent support, parent understanding all go hand-in-hand. And, I know that I am speaking to those here today who have bent their knees, bent their pockets and bent their resources to ensure that they facilitated their children’s learning. And, it has manifested with these students who have been successful in gaining Barbados Scholarships and Exhibitions.”
The Education Minister also noted that whereas previously there were only four secondary schools with sixth forms, the scope had widened, to 11 schools currently having sixth forms.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Joy Adamson, commended the students on their success, and encouraged them to be Ambassadors for their country wherever they chose to pursue their studies.
“Students, you are Barbadian Ambassadors and when you go to your next area of study, you are not only supposed to be Ambassadors in your studies … but in your dress, your behaviour, [and] your speech,” she remarked.