JIS: The Government is calling on corporate support to extend the reach of its Jamaica Brain Builders Programme, which is designed to ensure that the nation’s children get the best start in life.
The $540 million initiative, launched in July, will provide interventions in health, nutrition, stimulation and social protection, among other needs, during the first 1,000 days of life, from conception to age two years.
The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) will be responsible for establishing 126 ‘Brain Builder Centres’, with two in each constituency.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, said that discussions are underway with corporate entities, some of which have expressed significant interest, to see how best this initiative can reach every child.
“It’s ready made for corporate support. Part of what the Government will have to do is examine the spaces that we will now transform into day-care centres, which will take significant resources.
We do have funds already budgeted for this,” he said.
Mr. Green was addressing Courts’ 2018 Customer Scholarship Awards ceremony at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on August 14.
A total of 44 students received education grants totalling more than $7 million from the furniture company.
Seven tertiary grants valued at $250,000 each and six full scholarships valued at $400,000 each were awarded to persons pursuing bachelor’s degree programmes.
Twenty-eight students transitioning from primary to high school received $100,000 each, while two others received $50,000 each.
One grant valued at $50,000 was presented to a student enrolled at HEART Trust/NTA institution.
Business Unit Director of Unicomer Jamaica, the parent company of Courts Jamaica, Ann-Marie Walters, said that more than 2,500 students have benefited from financial assistance through the scholarship programme, dubbed ‘Dare to Dream’.
“Courts Jamaica believes in supporting youths and investing in their education. As caring corporate citizens, we take our responsibility seriously. In fact, over the past 32 years, we have invested in excess of $110 million in scholarships,” she said.
She noted that her company remains committed to building communities across the island and will ensure that the people lead progressive and prosperous lives.
Ms. Walters urged the students to return to their communities and contribute to the development of the areas.
CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Minister, Hon. Floyd Green (left), presents a certificate of award to Danielle Barrett at Courts’ 2018 Customer Scholarship Awards ceremony at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on August 14.