KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Two high school students in Kingston are to benefit from $1 million in financial assistance to offset their educational expenses, through the Charles Drax Scholarship.

The recipients, from Jamaica College (JC) and St Andrew High School for Girls, will each receive $100,000 annually over five years.

Principal of JC, Senator Ruel Reid, made the disclosure yesterday (August 28) following the official opening of a state-of- the art museum on the grounds of the Old Hope Road-based institution.

Reid said the decision was taken to re-establish the scholarship having reviewed the last will and testament of the institution’s benefactor, Charles Drax, adding that this seeks to “fulfil his wishes”.

“Since we consider St. Andrew High as our sister school, we are going to offer one of the scholarships to a deserving young lady at St Andrew High,” Reid said.

He said the scholarship committee at JC will decide on the recipients of the award by September 8.

In the meantime, Reid said that 16 JC students have been awarded the R Danny Williams bursaries, in honour of the Chairman of the Jamaica College Foundation.

He commended all the old boys who have played a role in the success of the institution, while contributing to the needs of students.

Charles Drax is recognised as the founder of Jamaica College. His will, dated July 7, 1721, states that on his demise, his new house on his land at Shelton in Jamaica should be immediately “used as a free school or hospital for the support, maintenance, and education of eight poor boys and four girls belonging to the inhabitants of St Ann.”

Jamaica College is one of the oldest high schools in Jamaica. It is an all-male institution with a current student population of just under 1900.