Government to stand surety for bonded students

The Government will stand surety for tertiary-level students having difficulty identifying a guarantor for a loan from the Students' Loan Bureau (SLB), under the condition that they are enrolled at a teacher-training institution and are willing to be bonded for five years.

This was disclosed by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Ruel Reid, while speaking at a reception in honour of G.C. Foster College athletes at the institution in St Catherine on Thursday.

Reid noted that while the Government is unable to offer free education beyond grade 13, it is committed to assisting tertiary-level students with accessing funding for their studies.

"What we are guaranteeing is that through the SLB or other programmes, such as Jamaica Values and Attitude Project (JAMVAT), the support from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and other donors in terms of bursaries and scholarships, that you are funded for your tertiary education," he said.

In the meantime, the minister congratulated the athletes being honoured during the ceremony. They had participated in the IAAF World Championships in London this year.

OUTSTANDING AMBASSADORS

He noted that they are "outstanding ambassadors for Jamaica and G.C. Foster College", pointing out that despite the challenges faced, they represented the country well, "and we are very proud of all of you".

Ten athletes from the G.C. Foster College/Sprintec Track Club were selected for the Jamaican team to the IAAF World Championships. The group formed the largest representation from any one institution in the country.

The group, dubbed the 'Super 10' by the college, was responsible for two of the four medals won by the Jamaica team at the championship. All 10 members made it through to at least the semi-final round of the event.