Credit unit earns minister's praise for helping students

Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson has lauded First Regional Co-operative Credit Union for presenting scholarships, bursaries and book grants to 21 high-school and tertiary-level students from St Ann and St Mary.

At the handover ceremony, held recently at the Hibiscus Lodge Hotel in Ocho Rios, St Ann, Robinson said First Regional Co-operative has recognised the significance of education towards nation-building.

"Education is important to our development and to the eradication of poverty," the minister added.

She argued that the financial institution's support for education is a reflection of the concepts on which credit unions were founded many years ago.

"Through this goodwill of sponsoring the education of our children, the management of First Regional Co-operative Credit Union has integrated a social concern through its business operations, and that is commendable. This philanthropic initiative is worthy of emulation," she said.

She also encouraged parents to stand by their children and to encourage them to adopt good habits towards learning and achieving.