Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party and chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party Education Fund, last Friday (November 26) visited The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Mona Campus, to present the institution with gifts from the Jamaica Labour Party Education Fund ($1.5 million) and the Prime Minister’s Positive Jamaica Foundation ($1 million) for a total value of $2.5 million.

This donation is the third of what Holness hopes will be many more in the future.

Responding to the donation, Professor Dale Webber, The UWI Mona’s pro vice-chancellor and principal, stated that “education is still the best vehicle for upward mobility”.

He noted however that funding is always difficult to find. Students, he noted, tend to start programmes and start with great faith but it is sometimes difficult for them to complete the race.

Webber added: “The Jamaica Labour Party Education Fund and the Prime Minister’s Positive Jamaica Foundation see education in the same way that we at the UWI see it and make valuable contributions at timely moments to make a difference. Timely because exams start in two weeks and we have 6,000 students at risk of not meeting their financial obligations.”

This contribution, Webber said, will go a far way in helping as many students as possible and so The UWI Mona is eternally grateful. 

CHALLENGING TWO YEARS FOR STRUGGLING STUDENTS

Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has made the past two years even more challenging for struggling students and in keeping with a previous donation to The UWI Mona Campus, Holness said he wanted students who are in need, especially those who are almost complete and just need that final push to benefit from the donation.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Holness said: “This is my third time and I hope I will be able to do this for many years to come. I believe I was shaped in many ways by having the privilege of attending this prestigious institution.”

He recalled that it was a struggle for him to come to university.

He shared: “When I received the acceptance letter, I said to my mother ‘how am I going to do this?’, and she said ‘don’t worry’. I came to UWI on an adventure. I didn’t know how my fees were going to be paid, but with the good will of family members, student loans and, look at me now… . Since then, I made the commitment that should I find myself in a position to assist students, I will.”

In his capacity at the chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party Education Fund, Holness said: “As a political party we have decided that we have to serve the people, not only in words and policy, but in deeds as well. For us education is a critical pillar of our policy foundation and it’s not just about talking about education and creating policy in that regard, we believe we should fulfill our social responsibilities as a political party, and put our funds where our policy is, so
whatever we can do, whatever funds we have raised from persons who are sympathetic to our perspective, we will give.”

He informed that the JLP has merit-based scholarships, but they also recognise that there are students who are brilliant and who would do well but for the lack of resources. To that end, he said the party directs some of the resources to the universities and ask them to assess students based on need.

TERTIARY EDUCATION A DREAM OF MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS JAMAICA

“We ask that you select the students that are truly in need and those who show an eagerness to participate in university life. Look out for those who are about to graduate and are in need of that final push,” Holness said.

Responding on behalf of the student body, Danielle Mullings, president of the Guild of Students, said: “Completing a tertiary education is a dream of many young people across Jamaica. It’s a key factor in helping us to evolve and become persons in a society that can uplift our communities. We always say young people are the future, but I say they are also the here and now, so it is important for us to find these moment where we can encourage them by investing in the future of Jamaica.

“Some students have lost the main providers in their household, and some have become the main provider in their household. It’s a difficult time for many and so on behalf of the Guild of Students of The UWI Mona Campus, I would like to express our immense appreciation and gratitude especially at this time… . ”