Guardian Life Limited celebrates 18 years of investing in youth education

As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, Guardian Life Limited (GLL) awarded approximately 50 students (who recently sat the Primary Exit Programme examinations) and students entering universities with $6 million in scholarships and grants to commemorate the 18th year of staging its annual Scholarships and Grants Awards Ceremony.

It was held on August 23 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY), Marsha Smith, commended the Guardian Group Foundation for extending its impact in assisting families during the back-to-school season.

“GLL has continued to assist with tuition and back to school preparation along with easing the burden on many families across the island. This support is lifechanging to the students who benefit, and it eases the burden on parents, communities and in fact the entire Jamaica. Thank you to Guardian Life for impacting the lives of young people in a positive way,” said Minister Smith.

President of the GLL, Meghon Miller Brown, in reflection, spoke to the reasons the organisation continues to give back to students who excel in their academic pursuits. “For 25 years GLL has been steadfast in our commitment to encourage students. We are committed to creating opportunities for those who perform with deliberate intent and unwavering persistence,” said Miller Brown.

Among the students awarded at the ceremony were the National Top Girl and Top Boy Adrianna Cover and Aiden Cummings, who were selected by the Ministry of Education based on their exceptional ranking and performance in the PEP Exams. They each received $1 million which will be paid over five years for the duration of their high school learning.

Saige Brown and Amir Francis were the top girl and top boy selected from among children of Guardian Life’s policyholders. They were also selected based on the results of the grades they received in the PEP exams.

SCHOOL GRANTS INCREASED

Amir Francis, policyholder’s top boy, thanked Guardian Life on behalf of the awardees and highlighted the collective effort that assisted in the awardees being recognised.

“I want to express my gratitude for being awarded this scholarship which represents more than a financial award; it symbolises the investment that the Guardian Group Foundation is making in my future. Ultimately, this scholarship reminds me that efforts are rewarded and that I am part of a community that believes in education to transform lives,” said Amir.

The Guardian Group Foundation also increased the number of community schools which received its grants from four to 10 schools to further commemorate its 25th anniversary milestone. This brings the total number of recipients from 10 to 20 across schools within the communities served by the organisation. Some of these schools include Denham Town Primary, Oracabessa Primary, Medina Primary and Infant School, Alpha Primary, Edward Seaga Primary and Clan Carthy Primary School.

The Scholarship and Grants Programme was started in 2006 with the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) later transitioning to the PEP. Although the initiative focuses mainly on awardees from prep and primary schools, high school students also receive scholarships to cover their tertiary level education for the duration of their bachelor’s degree.