Social Security presents scholarships to five persons

ZIZ Newsroom, Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 16, 2012: Five persons have gotten a boost to pursue higher education thanks to a scholarship offered by the Social Security Board.

Tevin Phillip, Celestine Williams, Ornette Henry, Cuthbert Caines and Javeim Blanchette are the recipients of the Robert Manning University Financial Assistance Scholarship.

Social Security Scholarship recipients

During a presentation ceremony on Wednesday, Assistant Director of Social Security, Elvin Bailey, noted that investment in higher education is vital to the overall growth of a nation.

He noted that 55 per cent of youth in the United States pursue university-level education while the figure is only six and a half per cent for the OECS.

He said that the initiative was then significant in helping the country move beyond its third-world label and assume a place on the world stage.

Chairman of the Social Security Board, Halva Hendrickson said the institution is pleased to be investing in the young persons.

Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon. Dam Condor commended Social Security on this initiative and stated that the board has built the country from the ground up, with their investments in housing, education and health.

He lauded the establishment for its commitment to the nation and its people.

The University Scholarship is one of three offered by Social Security. The others are geared towards high school students and persons studying at technical institutions.