BCEF gives scholarships, bursaries to students

Three students have received full scholarships from the Basil Charles Education Foundation (BCEF), while several others received bursaries during the foundation’s scholarship and bursary handover ceremony earlier this week.{{more}}

The students collected their scholarship and busaries cheques on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, at Basil’s Bar in Kingstown.

The scholarships went to Givin Forde, Kennisha Joseph and Jahshell Ryan. Bursaries were given to Zenroy Chance, Imron Greaves, Shamika Haywood, Javin Liverpool and D’vante Neverson.

The scholarships have a duration of five years at secondary school level. Students will be given $500 for the first term and $450 for the second and third terms. Other students were awarded $500 bursaries.

Basil Charles, founder of the BCEF stated that it was the 15th year that the Foundation has been giving scholarships to students. The money made at the Blues Festival is used to provide the scholarships and bursaries.

Charles told SEARCHLIGHT that the scholarships and bursaries are awarded on the basis of the needs of the students, rather than the academic standings of the student. Charles, however, indicated that excellence in academics is still necessary. The Foundation analyses the parental structure of the home and how the children are assisted with their education, in order to make their selections.

Charles encouraged the parents of the children to use the money wisely, adding that parents are often tempted to use the money for needs other than the children’s education. “Please use this money carefully,” he further cautioned.

He also encouraged the children to work hard to become good citizens in order to give back to thier country.

The BCEF currently has 78 students under the Scholarship or Bursary programme; 120 students have passed through the programme.

Charles thanked the sponsors of the Blues Fest which include the Mustique Company, St. Vincent Brewery Ltd., Young Island Resort among others. He added that a dinner will be held at Government House with the funds going towards the BCEF. The 2011 Mustique Blues Festival will take place between January 26 and February 9, 2011. (OS)