The St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners (SAJBP) must be congratulated on awarding students from the parish $2 million in scholarships, as reported in THE STAR on Wednesday.

It is a significant investment in the future of not only the 24 tertiary-level students who received the grants, but also the parish, as even if the recipients end up working outside the parish they will always have roots there and their example will serve to inspire others.

And it is an ongoing programme, as last year 25 students were awarded similar scholarships.

As 2007 awardee Dwayne Young, a first-year medical student at UWI said, "I live with the aspiration of becoming a medical doctor in the year 2012. Financially, it was a bit of struggle, but I am assured that this scholarship has really alleviated many of my academic wants financially and I want to sincerely thank the company for this privilege."

This act of generosity which shows that the bauxite organisation keeps students in 'mine' is even more remarkable when it is considered against the background of well publicised contests where the main prize is an expensive motor vehicle which requires a lot of money for insurance and general upkeep.

Education is also a much surer investment than a lottery ticket, as the vast majority spend their mickles that make a muckle chasing a jackpot which is always at the end of the ever shifting rainbow.

There are times when bauxite companies get some flack for their mining procedures and the amount that is paid for the raw product, as opposed to the finished aluminium, but in this case there is no doubt about the intention and the impact and congratulations should be given where congratulations are due.