This comes as fifty students receive fully paid scholarships to pursue a Bachelor’s degree programme at Monroe College. Edward urges students to make the best of the opportunity, and to make their families proud.

“Do not take this opportunity for granted. You are not called upon to pay the tuition fees. You do not have to buy your own books because you are on a full scholarship,” Edward admonished. The Education Minister would like to awaken the students to the responsibility they owe to themselves, and to their families. “But being on a full scholarship does not mean that this is free. It is not. The government is paying 50% of it, and Monroe College has to find the other 50% to ensure the package delivered to you is complete. Make the most of the opportunity,” he explained.

Monroe College President, Marc Jerome, reiterated the Education Minister’s sentiments in his address to the students, underscoring the need for a sense of gratitude. “Generosity that comes from the government and Monroe should be accompanied by a sense of responsibility from all you. People are watching you, your brothers and sisters are watching. I'm asking you, besides excelling in your academics, to follow through on the values that Monroe believes in,” he explained.

The scholarship programme forms part of the government’s First Generation Scholarship, where students are given the chance to be the first in their family to attain tertiary education.