AS students, parents, teachers, and school administrators continue to settle into the 2023/2024 academic year, the Sandals Foundation is reporting more than a $17.5-million investment in student scholarships as well as school infrastructure to support a holistic learning environment.

Across the Caribbean, 18 secondary and 18 tertiary-level students are now enrolled in their respective schools and programmes having maintained satisfactory performance to continue in the Sandals Foundation Care For Kids Scholarship programme.

Here in Jamaica, nine secondary scholarship recipients from Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril, Whitehouse and Kingston are attending a variety of schools including Herbert Morrison Technical High, Cornwall College, Marymount High, Manchester High, Immaculate Conception, and Hampton High School.

Additionally, 13 local tertiary scholars are pursuing bachelors in management and finance, science, architecture, veterinary medicine, education, sports, and tourism management. All will continue to benefit from the programme’s mentorship, residential, medical, educational resources, and travel support.

“The annual intervention forms part of the strategic investment into education and our island’s educational institutions,” said Heidi Clarke, executive director at the Sandals Foundation.

From roofing and electrical repairs, school signs, security fencing and wall installations, as well as tiling, ceiling, garden, and playground improvements, eight of our islands’ rurally located schools have received much-needed enhancements to the physical and psychosocial learning process.

“The success of our education output is in part a responsibility of every stakeholder within society. Schools form part of the critical organism that determines our rate and level of national development. We are committed to supporting these spaces for the benefit of educators, students, parents, and the workforce alike,” added Clarke.

Educational institutions supported by the philanthropic arm of the Sandals and Beaches Resorts include Culloden Infant School, Petersville Basic School, Leanora Morris Infant and Primary School, Seville Golden Preschool as well as Boscobel Primary and Infant School.

Numerous back-to school efforts were also executed to further bolster the efforts of families to prepare for the academic year.