IN 2000, Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation (SJF) introduced 10 new scholarships for students of inner-city schools. These scholarships also extend to communities outside of Kingston and are awarded annually based on performance in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).
One of these scholarships went to Marlon Palmer of Homestead Primary in St. Catherine. The principal said it was a time of jubilation at the school as it was the best news they had received for a long time, as scholarships at the school were very rare. The following year, the school received a second SJF scholarship for Patricia Robinson and then things started to change.
WAVE OF HOPE
The Principal said a wave of hope overtook the school two years in a row they got a prestigious Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation Scholarship.
The teachers began talking about the scholarships at devotions, to motivate the students. After a while, students started talking about "winning a Scotiabank Scholarship next year".
Some students started attending school more regularly and a few became so excited, that they started studying during their recess. The school's attendance started to improve. It now stands at an average of 91 per cent which is above the national average of 84 per cent. There are 313 students in attendance and approximately 270 are at school on any given day.
DIFFERENCE
The difference in some parents was also most noticeable. In the past they would say "Homestead is a ghetto school". Now they still do, but with pride, "Homestead is a ghetto school, but dem a teach see dem get scholarship again." Graduation for scholarship winners is now a special family event as everyone comes to give the scholarship winner a standing ovation.
And more good news, Homestead Primary received another scholarship this year for Jovi McCalla to attend St. Jago High School.
It takes very little to excite and inspire people who have had very few opportunities. This story is one that is filled with much hope and possibility, because it only takes a spark to get a fire going.
