Sanmerna Foundation Awards $2 Million to High-Performing PEP Students from Two Inner-City Schools

More than 15 students from two inner-city primary schools will start high school with some of the cost already covered after being awarded scholarships and bursaries totalling $2 million for their strong PEP results.

The students, who attend Balmagie Primary School and St. Jude's Primary School, earned places at several traditional high schools after the recently completed Primary Exit Profile examinations.

The Sanmerna Foundation handed over the awards at a recent presentation ceremony. The organisation said the programme is meant to assist children in inner-city communities, where many households are finding it harder to manage rising education expenses.

The Foundation said students were chosen for their academic performance, discipline and determination in the face of difficulties.

"Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives. At Sanmerna Foundation, we believe that when students work hard and excel, they should be encouraged, celebrated, and supported as they move forward," said Paige Dixon, project manager at the Sanmerna Foundation.

The organisation said the funding is expected to reduce some of the pressure on parents and motivate the students to keep aiming high academically.

"These children have shown that excellence is possible regardless of background or circumstance. Our hope is that this contribution will ease some of the burden on parents while reminding every student that their hard work matters and that their community is standing behind them," said Robert White, director of the Sanmerna Foundation.

The Sanmerna Foundation added that it intends to continue backing young people through education while offering practical support to families trying to build better futures for their children.