The People’s National Congress Reform Bursary Awards was Thursday hosted at the State House for the first time, defying the thin line that separates state institutions from their political groupings.
The Burnham Education Scholarship Trust (B.E.S.T.) Bursary Award was formed by the Party in 2012, to help children of party members excel in their academic studies. The award ceremony, which was previously held at Congress Place, the PNC Headquarters, was held at State House – the official residence of the Head of State. The programme started off with the party’s prayer.
Chairman of the B.E.S.T., Allan Munroe said the event is timely as it coincides with the party’s 60th anniversary.
“Today, the Burnham Education Scholarship Trust is proud to present awards f the sixth consecutive year and the associate today’s activity with the 60th anniversary of our great party, the Peoples National Congress Reform,” he stated.
Munroe also disclosed that the President and the Leader of the PNCR David Granger donated some $3M to the programme.
Meanwhile, students from across the country have benefited from bursaries from the initiative. Selection is based on the results of the NGSA and the awards are in the form of book vouchers to the value of $30,000 per annum and may be augmented when necessary.
They are continuous and renewable each succeeding year throughout the awardees’ enrollment in secondary schools and renewable is dependent on their performances. For the first time this year, the programme awarded students advancing to the tertiary level of education. Two students received funding for their first year at the University of Guyana.
The PNCR Leader, Granger, in his remarks, promised to do all he can to improve the education sector as he stressed the importance of information and communication technology hubs.
“I am committing myself, if not this term in office, then my next term in office in 2020, to do everything possible to make sure that every single educational institution in this country has wifi,” he stated.
The PNCR Leader told the awardees that under the BEST initiative, they are a family, and can turn to anyone for any assistance in their academic pursuits.
