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Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones (left) and Permanent Secretary Bruce Alleyne (FP)??

The Government of Barbados has awarded some 13 scholarships and 21 exhibitions to students who excelled in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) or in an Associate Degree programme at the Barbados Community College (BCC).??

This was the official word from Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones, today, while speaking to members of the press in the Ministry’s Conference Room at the Ministry of Education, Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Road, St. Michael.

Noting that the overall number of scholarship and exhibition winners was less than those awarded last year, Mr. Jones, however, pointed out that the number was in keeping with the normal trends of previous years.?? "This figure [is] relatively consistent, notwithstanding 2010 when we had 52 [scholarships and exhibitions]…This year relates very positively to 2009 and 2008," he explained.

Harrison College received the majority of scholarships, with seven students being awarded.?? These are Damani Clarke, Trevonda Clarke, Stuart Holder, Eden Leach, Natalie Seedan, Zahra Spencer and Lamar Thornhill.

That school also earned 10 exhibitions, which went to Astrid Atherley, Brian Cumberbatch, Dudley Ellis, Hadiya Marshall, Gabrielle Mendez, Deniece Sandiford, Quincy Simmons, Daniella Thomas, Cherise Vanderpool and Nicholas Worrell.

Four students from Queen’s College were awarded with scholarships.?? These are: Tiffany Banfield, Mikeila Carrington, Jennifer Martin and Esther Trotman.?? Exhibition winners from that institution are: Nikita Bayne, Kara Cumberbatch, Simone Evelyn, Alexandra Gooding, Liana Hallett, Nesha Hoyte, Sabina Martin and Kimberly Quintyne.

The BCC copped two scholarships and three exhibitions.?? The scholarship winners are Lisa Carrington and Alexandria Harris, while those awarded exhibitions are Brittany Evason, Salama Patrick and Nickel Pembleton.

Minister Jones congratulated the scholarship and exhibition winners on their success, however, he admitted to some disappointment that no scholarships or exhibitions were awarded in the disciplines related to humanities.

"Persons in society [seem to] frown on the humanities…but an understanding of humanities create the kind of society that can be highly analytical in itself; it also creates a very strong research focus and a research base.?? Persons who can engage in deep thought and intellectual argument…can in truth and in fact drive the society.

"We have to find out why most students are not opting for those disciplines – history, English, philosophy and [similar] areas," Minister Jones stated.??

The Minister was adamant that persons "cannot clap with one hand" and that society needed to focus on all areas of education to work together cohesively.

kim.ramsay-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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