SIXTY-SIX students have this year been awarded scholarship grants from the National Security Employees Co-operative Credit Union for their success at the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

The value of the grants is $10,000 each.

Chairman of the credit union board Senior Superintendent of Police Calvin Allen said while the union understands that the amount is only a drop in the bucket, given the harsh reality of the country’s economy, he was heartened to see the gratitude expressed by the awardees and their families, many of whom had to travel long distances to attend the ceremony, held at the headquarters of the credit union in Kingston last Tuesday.

Tamara Maxwell- Green, deputy CEO of the credit union, explained that the decision to host these awards ceremonies each year was conceived out of a desire to invest in the children of the nation. She said the desire was strengthened and encouraged by need to provide a pillar of support for parents who will be faced with a number of financial burdens, brought by the demands of the new academic year.

“Initially, we awarded each student $20,000, but as the needs grew and the applications increased we had to reduce the value of the grant in order to honour all applications. However, we are very grateful that we are able to offer assistance to more students,” she said.

Chad White, who scored an average of 93.3 on the exams, got high praises from the chairman and executives of the credit union for receiving the highest score among the awardees. His exceptional performance earned him an additional $20,000.

The credit union has awarded grants in excess of $7million since its inception in 2005.

Wayon McKenzie, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, said he knew his sentiments of gratitude were shared by the 2015 cohort.

“I am very grateful for this award. It will go a very far way in my preparation for the new school term,” he said.

“Education is the surest passport out of poverty” was the theme of the message that guest speaker, senior advisor in the Ministry of Education, Dr Franklin Johnston delivered to the awardees. He encouraged them to work earnestly to discover their purpose as they traverse the path to excellence. He said that he encouraged by the parental support he witnessed, and lauded the cooperative for its commitment to the children of Jamaica and by extension, the nation.

Johnston represented the Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites who was unable to attend because of injuries sustained from a fall at his farm. Twaites is said to be recovering well at home.