Burnham scholarship trust distributes bursaries

The Burnham Education Scholarship Trust (BEST) distributed 10 bursary awards to students who excelled at the 2012 National Grade Six Assessment on Wednesday.

In his address to the recipients PNCR Leader David Granger said that the BEST is not a “one shot initiative” but a relationship. The committee will monitor the awardees progress throughout their secondary education with the aim of guiding them until they graduate from university, the party said in a press release.

Granger reminded the students that the late President Forbes Burnham was the first Minister of Education. “The PNC post-Independence administration constructed the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education campuses at Turkeyen; multilateral schools in five regions; hinterland secondary schools and introduced free education from nursery to university,” he said. The party leader said the present-day PNCR has also adopted Burnham’s approach to education and it aims to once again make Guyana an “education nation.”

Ashandai Liverpool delivering the vote of thanks (PNCR photo)

The bursaries were distributed by Granger and former government minister and member of the PNC Central Executive Committee Yvonne Harewood-Benn to Creig Henry of Region One; Nicholas Headley of Region Two; Mario George of Region Three; Ashandai Liverpool of Region Four; Jerielle Thom of Region Five; Camisa Chisholm of Region Six; Keifer Allen of Region Seven; Michael Kemfume of Region Eight, Jeanelle Fredericks of Region Nine and Ashwar Angel of Region Ten. The distribution of the awards marked the close of the party’s celebration of its 55th anniversary.

Jerielle Thom receiving her bursary from PNCR Leader David Granger (PNCR photo)

The BEST is administered by a Committee of Management chaired by PNCR Central Executive Committee member Alan Munroe.

Yvonne Harewood-Benn speaking at the event