The Ministry of Education has revealed the names of the students who have topped this year’s GSAT examinations held in May.
Keara Gardier of the St.Martin Primary took the first place while Shantay Avril of Ebenezer Primary came in second. Khobie Darroux (Convent Preparatory), Kamal Peter (Convent Preparatory) and Jenay Lawrence ( St. Martin Primary) took the next three spots respectively. These students all received ‘A’s in the four subject areas.
Hon.Petter St.Jean also announced that the Cabinet has approved increases to the scholarship and bursary awards given by the Government each year.
“I should like to give you some detailed information as to the increases that cabinet has approved. In the past, a student who received a scholarship received $500, that has been increased to $1000 from forms 1 to form 3 that is for the provision of textbooks, so the value of $1000. I need to be very careful here that a student may not receive the full $1000 based on the value, the quantum of books that would have to be purchased. Bursars will receive from $300 that has been increased to a value of $700. At the fourth form level, the scholarship has been increased to $1700, to a value of $1700 and bursary at fourth form level to $1200 and at the fifth firm level, since most of the books used at fourth form are also used in fifth firm, an additional value of $300.”
The minister also said that the Government will continue to pay the CXC fees of both Scholars and Bursars.
There will also be an increase in the textbook and stationary amount given to students of the Dominica State College. A qualifying student once received $600 and that has been increased to $1200 while the transportation amount has been increased to $1000.
St. Jean said that the Government understands the situation confronting families and as such will continue to provide support where it is needed. He also urged parents and the general public to give the necessary “support and scaffolding to our students in order for them to succeed and to build an economy that will survive well beyond the 21st century”.
