Cable and Wireless has awarded sixteen scholarships to students in Grenada who have successfully passed the 2005 Common Entrance Examinations to celebrate its 14th Annual Scholarship Programme.

The official announcement was made at a two-hour ceremony held at Hospitality Arts Center of the T.A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) at Tanteen, St. George's.

The awardees are Camilla Carter, Akeria Peters; Donika Redhead, Sherdeen Nedd, Shaun Diannah, Jerry Teka, Tyler Stafford, Kemil St. Louis, Kizzy Christopher, Kevin Hypolite, Danieler Sayers, Requina Baptiste, Apphia Clake, Roylyn Sylvester, Lentoria Houston and Xavier Rock.

In speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Education Claris Charles noted that the 2004/2005 period was a challenging year for teachers, parents and students as the country experienced two hurricanes in ten months.

Minister Charles encouraged the 2005 Scholarship awardees to study hard as "studying is a continuous process." She told them that "the only thing that will take poor people's children out of poverty is education."

In specifically addressing the parents of scholarships awardees, the fame government minister urged them to love, encourage, and support their children so at the end of the day, Cable and Wireless can be proud of their children.

She thanked Cable and Wireless for the scholarship programme and pleaded with them to continue with the initiative. Manager Finance of Cable and Wireless St.Vincent, Lydia Courtney told the awardee that they have been given an opportunity to succeed and should take the maximum use of it.

"I want to admonish you to focus on respect, respect for yourself and others, to consider your deportment to your manner of speech and the standard that you set", she told them.

Thirteen students who completed their secondary school education with assistance from the telecommunication company were honoured at the function, as well students who performed well in their years at Secondary school.

In addition, three of the top performers in this year's Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) will receive support from Cable and Wireless to attend TAMCC. The programme was created through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and Cable & Wireless.

The aim of the scheme is to help students who have successfully passed the common entrance examinations, but may be unable to attend secondary school because of limited financial resources.

It is valued at approximately $1,200.00 per year for every student for 5 years, and covers the provision of schools uniforms, books, transportation, examination fees, and meals in some cases.