Capital G Scholarships: Public School Students

Earlier this afternoon [April.18], Minister of Education Dame Jennifer Smith joined Ian Truran, President & CEO, Capital G Bank and Capital G Trust, to announce a special scholarship initiative for students in the public school system.

Dame Jennifer said, “I was humbled that out of all of the entities in our surrounding community that Capital G could have directed their funding to – they singled out our children in the public school system to award these scholarships to.Mr. Truran, you can be sure that your kindness will make a difference in the lives of many students in the years to come, and it means so much to me to know that others care about the students in our public school system.”

The Minister’s full remarks are below:

Good afternoon,

Mr. Truran, thank you for your kind words. On behalf of the Ministry of Education I am pleased to join you in announcing this public/private sector endeavor.

Thank you also for your support of the students in our public education system.

When I was first approached about this initiative, I was not only heartened, but I was incredibly impressed with the amount of thought, effort, attention to detail and research that went into creating these four scholarships.

And, I was humbled that out of all of the entities in our surrounding community that Capital G could have directed their funding to – they singled out our children in the public school system to award these scholarships to.

Mr. Truran, you can be sure that your kindness will make a difference in the lives of many students in the years to come, and it means so much to me to know that others care about the students in our public school system.

Ladies and gentlemen, since my appointment as Minister of Education a little over five months ago, I have gone about the steady business of examining every facet of our education system – from the principals to the teachers; from the students to the curriculum.

And while I am under no illusions that we have our share of challenges in education – and these will be addressed – it also became apparent that we have much to celebrate.

Most students, teachers and principals are doing a fantastic job and I have made a point to recognise those successes when they occur. And as we work to correct, improve and change, we should not lose sight of the fact that the majority of our children are doing well.

However we are taking a laser like approach towards correcting the deficiencies and shortfalls in the system.

You will have heard me announce during the recent Budget Debate that I have simplified and focused the Ministry of Education’s mission:

“To raise the quality of teaching and learning so that public schools become the number one educational choice for parents and students.”

Simply put – our plan is to focus – single-mindedly – on our reason for existing … to teach our children so that they might learn.

Clearly, everyone is concerned about education and that is why we have returned to the fundamentals with a focus on Teaching and Learning.

Refocusing our mission ensures that we cut through the cumbersome clutter and bureaucracy that has historically burdened our public education system.

And ladies and gentlemen while from a policy and legislative perspective, we are committed to laying the groundwork and shaping the framework, the Ministry cannot do it alone.

It is critical that community organizations play an avid role in getting involved in the lives of our students to ensure that they are unhindered in gaining access to opportunities that will help further their learning and development.

Capital G’s commitment to youth development in the areas of early childhood reading, foundational education excellence, sustainable giving and music expression represents a fine example of the kind of corporate citizen we dream of.

It is especially meaningful because it demonstrates the importance of not just talking the talk… but walking the walk.

I am of the view that the most effective impact on the economic, health, and social issues that we face as a community can only be achieved through ensuring that there is equal access to quality educational opportunities.

With this scholarship initiative, you are increasing opportunities to higher education by prioritizing their scholarship focus.

Ladies and gentlemen, today is proof positive of Government coming together with our private sector for the benefit of our children.

Once again Mr. Truran, thank you for making a sound economic investment in education.

The challenges of getting through our education hurdles are far outweighed by the knowledge that people like you and Capital G are willing to become a partner with the Ministry of Education.

Thank you.

#CapitalG #CollegeScholarships #Education #JenniferSmith

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