KINGSTON, Jamaica —  State-owned refinery, Petrojam Limited, has awarded four scholarships to top-performing students from the Greenwich Primary and St Andrew Primary schools in the Corporate Area, who excelled in the 2026 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations.

The scholarships were presented during the 20th anniversary staging of the Petrojam PEP Scholarship Awards Luncheon, held on Thursday at the PCJ Auditorium in Kingston.

The recipients are Joe-Lee Gordon and Neymar Price of St Andrew Primary School, and Kenzo Riley and Denesha Watson of Greenwich Primary School.

Neymar Price and Joe-Lee Gordon will attend Excelsior High School, while Danesha Watson will matriculate to Merl Grove High School and Kenzo Riley to St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS).

Each recipient received an annual contribution of $60,000 towards tuition and other educational expenses, along with a new laptop, school supplies and additional awards.

Speaking at the function, Principal Director of Energy in the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Todd Johnson, said Petrojam has distinguished itself through its sustained support for communities, particularly in the area of education.

He noted that the company’s scholarship programme, established in 2006, has helped deserving students pursue their educational goals.

Johnson encouraged the scholarship recipients to appreciate the significance of the opportunity before them and congratulated them and their parents on their achievement.

“[Congratulations also] to Petrojam on a significant 20-year milestone for your [unwavering] support towards educating and empowering the nation’s children,” he said.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Petrojam General Manager, Danville Walker, Communications Manager, Elon Parkinson said the scholarship programme represents two decades of investment in Jamaica’s youth, having provided educational opportunities to nearly 70 students over the past 20 years.

“That’s two decades of investing in Jamaica as a most valuable resource for children. It’s two decades of opening doors that might, otherwise, have been closed… and two decades of proving, year after year, that when we believe in our young people by giving them the tools they need to rise to meet and exceed every expectation based upon them, greatness happens,” Walker said.

He noted that Petrojam has invested more than $50 million in Grade Six (GSAT) and, more recently, PEP scholarships since the programme’s inception in 2006, adding that many former recipients have gone on to pursue tertiary education and are now contributing to Jamaica’s development.

The general manager also announced that the scholarship programme will be expanded to include special recognition, focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“This new area of focus is even more consistent with what we do as Jamaica’s multi-energy innovator. Look forward to that in year 21 and beyond,” Walker said.

Meanwhile, reflecting on the programme’s 20-year journey, Petrojam Manager of Human Resource Development and Administration, Colin Barnett, said the scholarship initiative originated from the company’s Community Outreach Committee and has since evolved into a year-round programme that provides support beyond the annual awards.

He noted that the initiative includes mentorship, a homework centre and transportation support, with students receiving assistance throughout their secondary education.

Barnett added that, in some cases, the programme continues to support students beyond secondary school, while maintaining connections with alumni as they progress through tertiary education and into the workforce.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Denesha Watson expressed gratitude to Petrojam for its long-standing commitment to education and its investment in the future of Jamaica’s young people.

“This is more than providing financial assistance. Through these scholarships, you have given students hope, encouragement, motivation, and confidence to continue striving for excellence,” she said.

Denesha noted that the recipients viewed the scholarships not only as reward for their hard work but also as encouragement to pursue their dreams and become productive citizens who contribute positively to Jamaica’s development.

“As we celebrate 20 years of scholarships, we also celebrate 20 years of dreams being encouraged, potential being recognised, and young lives being positively impacted,” she said.

Denesha congratulated Petrojam on the milestone and thanked the company for “believing in us, investing in us and encouraging us to believe in ourselves”.

—  JIS