GRANVILLE, St James — The education ministry this month presented 17 students and teachers from the Early Childhood Unit of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in this rural community, with scholarships and bursaries valued at approximately $1.2-million.

Two full-time teachers received scholarships of $175,000 each, while 15 part-time evening students each received bursaries of $55,000. The awards were made available through the education ministry’s early childhood education fund.

The ministry established the fund, in conjunction with the Jamaica Lottery Company and Supreme Ventures Ltd, to assist basic school teachers who are pursuing a diploma in early childhood education at a teachers’ college.

Making the presentation at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Vincent Guthrie, the ministry’s regional director, said this assistance was being offered for the second time since the fund was set up two years ago.

“The early childhood education fund is aimed at securing teaching and learning opportunities that will optimise access, equity and relevance throughout the education system,” Guthrie said. “The fund is expected to honour financial agreements to all awardees for the duration of their studies, and it is our hope that the venture will be met with total success in this national drive to provide qualified teachers in the early childhood sector.”

Scholarship recipient Heather Wiggan told JIS News that she was delighted at the assistance, which would go a far way in ensuring that she was prepared for the task of educating the country’s youth.

“I am truly honoured to be a part of the early childhood education unit which is playing a vital role in the development of the society,” she said.

“In this level of preparation, we have to be using (recycled material) to create teaching aids, but still have to purchase other material which cost money. This assistance is welcome and all my colleagues are pleased that we were selected as recipients,” Wiggan added.

For the 2002/3 period, about 44 awards were made nationally with 16 students receiving full scholarships, and 28 receiving bursaries.