GBTI awards 15 students with bursaries for exemplary performance at NGSA 2023

Three years after its pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry’s (GBTI) bursary programme returned on Friday, with 15 students being presented monetary awards for their successful performance at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).
The students – members of the Bank’s Early Savers Club – were randomly selected after submitting their results at the national exam earlier this year and received this honour at the Bank’s Kingston, Georgetown branch.
The awardees include Top 1 per cent performer Jada Pike of Queen’s College alongside Nekemiyah Cumminga of St Stanislaus College; Davidge Rock of St Joseph High School; Avron Doodnauth of Anna Regina Multilateral; Noel Campbell of Diamond Secondary; Addison Cain of The Bishops’ High School; Kaiden Bobb of Christ Church Secondary; Clint Phillip and Ariel Adams of St Joseph High School; Nicholai Chong of Mae’s Secondary; Malia Morgan of North Georgetown Secondary; Zaundreah Benn of West Demerara Secondary; Troyden Success of Bygeval Secondary; Raiyad Shahabudeen of St Rose’s High and Ahyalla Deonarine of Anna Regina Secondary.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the banking institution, James Foster explained that this monetary award aims to aid the students with their school needs, thereby easing the financial burden on their parents and guardians.
“Continuous programmes make it more manageable for parents to finance their children’s education. We believe consistent support can lead to better academic performance as students can focus on learning without having to worry about finances,” Foster said.
He added that this investment in education can further positively contribute to improved economic opportunities and social development within the country.
Foster noted that the Early Savers Programme is one way the Bank seeks to support the growth and development of young citizens as not only do they develop saving habits but also discipline.
Along those lines, Foster disclosed that the bursary award programme will continue to grow to respond to the needs of students.
“We plan to complement the bursary programme currently in place with opportunities to build careers, not only within Guyana but also in the Region,” Foster said, urging students to keep their eyes open for these upcoming changes.
As the 15 awardees embark on their high school journey, the GBTI CEO advised them to be brave, do what is right and not what feels good, and ground themselves in values that last, like honesty, hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity and respect for others, and above all, to be kind.
“Secondary school is the beginning of a new chapter, a chapter that influences many aspects of your life; personal and career goals are created and enhanced, key friendships and relationships are formed, and nurtured,” Foster said.
“It is therefore important that you remain resolute to the values instilled by your parents, embrace the expectations of your parents, teachers and community but most importantly, embody what you want to achieve for yourself,” he added.
On behalf of the students, Noel Campbell of Diamond Secondary extended appreciation to the Bank for its recognition of their performance, as he noted it will contribute greatly to their secondary education and overall success. (Pooja Rambaran)