KINGSTON, Jamaica – A total of 1,310 students, who will be sitting information technology in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exam and computer science in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), this year, will have their fees fully paid.

The NCB Foundation, through its CSEC/CAPE National Bursary Programme, has provided a grant of $7.8 million to subsidise the cost of these exams.

Chair of the foundation, Thalia Lyn, handed over the cheque to Training and Client Relations Manager at the Overseas Examinations Commission (OEC), Noleta Case, during a ceremony on Wednesday at Immaculate Conception High School in St Andrew.

Through the CSEC/CAPE National Bursary Programme, the NCB partners with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and the OEC to cover the examination fees for select students in private and public schools across the island, who are pursuing IT and computer science at the CSEC and CAPE levels.

The objective is to ensure that the students meet the subject requirements for tertiary education or career advancement.

Deputy Chief Education Officer, Winnie Berry, who brought remarks on behalf of Portfolio Minister, Senator Dana Morris Dixon, highlighted the importance of the grant for the recipients.

“This occasion is an important one, as it marks not only the continued partnership… but also the deepening of our collective commitment to ensuring that our young people have the opportunity to excel,” she said.

She commended NCB Foundation for providing “a vital lifeline for those who need it most”.

The foundation has invested more than $240 million in the bursary programme, since its inception in 2003, benefiting more than 109,000 students.

Adhering to its education mandate, the foundation initially issued grants to students pursuing principles of business and principles of accounts but shifted its focus in 2022 to information technology and computer science, citing the changing digital world.

Berry applauded the shift stating, “This initiative is particularly important as we navigate a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The future of our country depends on the skills and expertise of our young people, particularly in the field such as information technology and computer science.”

Additionally, she highlighted the education ministry’s commitment to give further assistance to students through the Transforming Education for National Development (TREND) programme, which is aimed at addressing key challenges within the sector and improving educational outcomes, while fostering national development.

“The combination of financial support and educational initiatives creates an environment in which our students are not only financially supported but are also given the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world,” Berry said.

Meanwhile, Lyn reiterated the foundation’s commitment to the bursary programme, adding that it is an investment in the country’s future.

She went on to encourage students in attendance at the ceremony to keep their talents in Jamaica and contribute to the country’s development.

“Stay with us a little, help Jamaica to develop these [technological] industries. We have invested in you; we have great faith in you [and] we want you to help us carry it on. Pay it forward because that’s the only way we are going to build a better Jamaica,” she said.

–          JIS