Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Government, through the Ministry, is working to eliminate barriers which continue to prevent qualified students from matriculating in tertiary institutions.

Speaking at the 15th annual East Central St. James Education Trust’s tertiary scholarship awards ceremony, at the IBEROSTAR resort in Rose Hall, St. James, on August 23, the State Minister said the Ministry has policies in place to assist.

“It has become increasingly difficult for young people who are qualified to transition into tertiary institutions. That is something we are working to eliminate.  Our young people who achieve should be allowed to progress. That is one of the reasons why we are very firm at the Ministry that at the secondary level, no child should be turned back because they cannot afford to pay,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Green told the scholarship recipients that they must ensure that they make use of the opportunities presented to them, as the world is in need of well-rounded leaders.

“One of the things that you should recognise now that you are at the tertiary level, is that it is a lot more than just getting a qualification. What is important is your ability to assess, critically analyse and to engage. So, while you go forward on your educational journey, I suggest that you become well rounded in other areas,” he encouraged.

Mr. Green said involvement in co-curricular service is a good way to capitalise on the opportunities that tertiary education offers, to assist in a student’s development.

He commended Tourism Minister and Member of Parliament for East Central St. James, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, for his education programme in the constituency.

The State Minister said the programme has, over the last 15 years, been playing a major role in building the capacity of not only St. James and western Jamaica, but the entire country.

Source: Jamaica Information Service