Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues says plans are in train to build a dormitory in Georgetown to house scholarship students from hinterland communities who are attending city schools.

A Government Information Agency (GINA) release quoted Rodrigues as saying that the government has granted approval “in principle” for the dormitory to be built and ministry staff are looking for a suitable site for its construction. GINA said approximately 300 students are currently on scholarship from the hinterland and they are in the care of guardians. However, Rodrigues said the policy of placing students with guardians will not be abandoned completely after the dormitory is built. The minister said some of the students have expressed their desire to live in a dormitory instead of being separated from their community colleagues.

GINA said students from hinterland communities can gain access to scholarships through the Hinterland Scholarship Programme. Students must gain 465 marks to qualify and the scholarships are offered up to the university level. More hinterland students are accessing the scholarships to attend schools such as Queen’s College, President’s College and the Bishop’s High School the release said. GINA said any student from the hinterland who has satisfied the requirements can apply. Usually the applications are sent to the ministry before July in preparation for the September school year. Rodrigues said the government plans to provide at least 100 more scholarships this year to hinterland students.