The evolution of Jamaica lies on the back of its education system and NCB Foundation’s Grant a Wish programme is giving back to those in that system.

Teachers, principals, community heroes, guidance counselors, charities and students all can benefit from this programme.

With this movement, growth and development in the education system is being encouraged and facilitated. Tablets and laptops are being given to students who are in need.

The Foundation’s CEO, Nadeen Matthews Blair, speaks of wanting to strengthen the youth’s digital ability in order to open doors for them to be “competitive in the global workforce and well positioned to lead Jamaica’s digital transformation”.

The programme allows for voting and submitting nominations on its official website grantawish.jncb.com.

Having two available categories – Formally trained educators and charitable organisations – the public is allowed to vote up to a dozen times per day until December 15 and the top three votes are awarded their corresponding cash prize along with 10 laptops and 10 tablets to be given to children 17 years old and younger. 

On December 6, the NCB Financial Group President and CEO Patrick Hylton used his ‘President’s Pick’ in the Foundation’s programme to award Glenmuir High School’s principal, Dr Marsha Smalling, with $500,000.

Smalling, who has big plans to enhance the school’s multimedia room and digital teaching devices, heartily expressed her excitement in wanting to share the good news with the members of her school.

She and her school will be one of many to benefit from this initiative. With good intentions and available resources, uplifting change is possible and NCB Foundation’s Grant a Wish programme is making that a reality.