Education ministry offering $635 million in scholarships

Dr Kasan Troupe, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Youth, says the ministry has set aside approximately $635 million in scholarship funds to assist students to pursue tertiary education.

Troupe, who was speaking at last Friday's opening ceremony for the second staging of the ministry's Tertiary Education Recruitment Drive at the National Stadium, says she wants to bring awareness to students that the avenue exists for them to get assistance to further their education.

"I want our students to know that the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, the Ministry of Education and Youth have been resourced with financial support of approximately $635 million in our budget to assist this year with scholarships," said Troupe, who told the Jamaica Information Service that students may visit tsap@moey.gov.jm for details on how to apply for scholarships. The portal, which has been open since April 1, closes on June 30.

Troupe also stated that a sum of $200 million will be allocated to provide financial assistance for tertiary education through the constituency framework.

"We have taken a strategic decision to make sure there is a spread right across the country by [giving help to students] through the constituency framework. So, the members of parliament have an opportunity to [assist]; they can refer students [who] come into their area and need assistance," said Troupe. "The constituency base is a place they go to for help; so, they have enabled that base to help our students to pursue their dreams."

The education ministry has commenced implementing the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission's recommendations for the overall improvement of the public education system. One of the areas of focus is tertiary education. The ministry's Tertiary Unit has partnered with the public higher education institutions (PHEIs) to host a series of recruitment drives under the theme 'On the Road to Unlocking Your Future ... Join the Tertiary Recruitment Drive'.

The objectives of the exercise are to support increased access to tertiary education for Jamaicans and to expose students to the programme offerings of the PHEIs. The drive, which runs from April 19 to May 3, will showcase these offerings with the aim of increasing enrolment numbers in the PHEIs.