Education Minister Thankful for Charity Investment

With the establishment of The Oliver and Janet St. John, Christian and Hyacinth Agbadamashie Foundation, the government of Barbados is thankful for the substantial investment which will provide scholarships to eligible students in Barbados.

Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw said this during the charity launch ceremony held in the Coleridge and Parry School hall on Wednesday. She noted the important role of the charity due to the fact that many students do excel but do not qualify for scholarships and exhibitions, and the government funding for education is limited.

She added that the objectives of the charity which are to provide opportunities to those in need and advancing education through scholarships, align well with the Ministry’s mission to give equitable access to all citizens.

Funding research
The Education Minister was also pleased to learn that the scholarships will fund areas of research and education with the view to increase knowledge while providing avenues for short term training and seminars. Bradshaw ended her remarks with a reminder to the future scholarship winners to give back to their country.

“I am therefore satisfied that objectives of this charity once achieved will make a substantial contribution to the Barbados development. Just as I encouraged this year’s recipients of Barbados scholarships and exhibitions to ensure that they give back to Barbados as we launch this charity, I urge future recipients of awards to do the same,” said Bradshaw.

She expressed her gratitude to Christian and Hyacinth Agbadamashie, founders of the charity and encouraged other entities to come on board and partner with the Ministry, expanding opportunities for Barbadians in some of the non-traditional areas.