Top 2026 PEP Achievers Win Guardian Scholarships as Government Awards 32 High School Grants

Zurie Cousins and Neeraj Sahukar, who attend Creative Kids Learning Academy in Kingston, have been named the highest-scoring girl and boy in the 2026 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations. The two will take up places at Campion College when the new school year opens in September.

Each has received a Guardian Group Foundation Scholarship, which will cover their studies over the full five years of secondary education.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has confirmed that 32 state-funded scholarships have gone to PEP students who posted the strongest results nationwide.

Among the named government awards, Shomari Harrison of Harbour View Primary received the Marcus Garvey Scholarship. Jasonnia Beadle of Park Mountain Primary and Infant was given the JAG Smith Scholarship, while Nathaniel Brooks of Southborough Primary took the George William Gordon Scholarship. Nathanael Stewart of White Horses Primary and Infant School was named recipient of the Paul Bogle Scholarship.

A further 28 students — 14 boys and 14 girls — received general Government of Jamaica scholarships. The male recipients are Jacob Salazar, Yori Vanriel, Darien Hudlin, Kyle Stewart, Dejaun Williams, Jayden Choi, Kristian Campbell, Rafi Duncan, Rhys James, James Whittingham, Jaxon James, Najhaun Morris, Orlando Zinck, and Gabriel Clark.

The female awardees are Xia Nunes, Christina Magnus, Ariana-Marie Daniels, Sujanne Smith, Akeela Waisome, Anniya McDonald, Ashli-Rai Goodall, Briona Hall, Avery Blagrove, Katalia Smikle, Nia Peddie, Suri Edwards, Skyler Lafayette, and Jahneal Kennedy.

Most of the boys will continue at Campion College — 12 of the 14 — with one heading to Wolmer's Boys School and another to Herbert Morrison Technical High School. Among the girls, eight secured Campion College placements, two will attend Immaculate Conception High, two Glenmuir High, and one each Manchester High and deCarteret College.

Additional PEP high achievers have also gained support from private-sector and institutional donors, among them the Jamaica Teachers' Association, Massy Gas Products Limited, Petrojam, Seprod, Jamaica Energy Partners, LASCO, Musson, and Alva B. Johnson.