Marathon support for top academic performers in East Kingston, Port Royal

Chairman of Marathon Insurance Brokers, Richard Burgher, is urging Jamaica to take immediate action to address the fact that fewer boys are making it through the formal school system.

Addressing the annual Scholarship Programme Awards Ceremony, which was held on Wednesday, August 13 at the Port Royal Cruise Ship Terminal, Port Royal, Burgher said remedial support must be provided for struggling male students.

“Across the country, we are seeing fewer boys than girls in our graduating classes – sometimes less than 40 per cent of the cohort. This is a challenge we must address together, for while we must continue to celebrate the extra-ordinary achievements of our young women, we must also find ways to engage, inspire, and lift up our young men so they too can take their place as leaders in every field.”

The Annual Scholarship Programme, the initiative of East Kingston and Port Royal Member of Parliament Phillip Paulwell, is sponsored by Marathon Insurance Brokers which provides laptop computers and full high school tuition coverage to the top-performing boys and girls from primary institutions in the constituency.

The programme recognises academic excellence in seven primary schools, including Rollington Town Primary, Holy Rosary Primary, Elletson Primary,Windward Road Primary, Norman Gardens Primary, Rennock Lodge Primary and Port Royal Primary.

Burgher said that the company is committed to ‘planting seeds’ for a brighter future for Jamaica.

“We are committed to walking alongside this programme for the long term, because the education of our children is one of the most important investments we can make,” he said.

The MIB chairman saluted parents who continue to stand behind the students and encouraged the awardees to remember, that beyond the laptops and the paying of tuition fees, the real magic happens when opportunity is paired with determination.