Scholarship programme offering second chances to St. Cuthbert’s youth
Nineteen-year-old, Mr. Darren Kattow says he is grasping with both hands a second chance at tertiary education through the Government’s online scholarships programme.
The young man who hails from St. Cuthbert’s Mission, is hoping to pursue a Bachelor’s degree programme, after dropping out of school in the fifth form.
Mr. Kattow was one of many persons who turned out for the launch of the scholarships programme in St. Cuthbert’s Mission on Wednesday, when Minister of Public Service, Hon. Sonia Parag ventured into the village.
The young man says he wants to break a family tradition of not pursuing higher education by gaining a scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Studies.
“So far, my entire family, they went to a certain standard in their education, but they never finish off and I do not want to drop in that category. I want to be that one to make a change in my family to do something better because every other just went there and drop out, and did not do nothing with the position they get. So, I never got that chance like the rest of my family members,” he said.
Since Mr. Kattow did not complete his secondary education, he must complete the six-month Bachelor’s Preparatory Programme successfully, before pursuing his desired degree.
“I just want to be an example in my family capable of what they could have done when they had the opportunity, and the opportunity I get and what I can do with it when I finish my programme. So, I am 100 per cent happy and excited about this programme for online scholarship, because it gives me a second change to complete my education.
I am not just going to stop when I finish off this course. I want to go and build myself more and more and achieve bigger things that I can accomplish in life because everything is there in front of you, is just you have to go and grab it and be wise about it and what you want to do in this life and I am going in that direction. I am putting every effort in achieving what I want to do,” he told DPI.
The second of five children Mr. Kattow said he is also encouraging his sister to seize the opportunity, as he believes she has what it takes to excel.
“This is not only about me but is also about family and what future we want for ourselves. So, I was interested also in my sister, to get her interested, because it is free and not by any cost. So, I was trying to push her forward to take the scholarship. She is a bit brilliant than I am and she has everything that it takes,” Mr. Kattow said.
Minister Parag was pleased with the turnout at the launch, and the interest demonstrated in the programme.
“I encourage you today to really take up this opportunity. This is an opportunity that you must seize. Education takes you everywhere. It takes you everywhere; it makes you independent; it gives you that power to earn.
You can set up your own business, you can apply for a job in the public sector, a job in the private sector, anything of your choice. We have so many programmes available, at least 85 programmes there available that you will find something,” she said.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Lenox Shuman and village Toshao Mr. Timothy Andrews also urged the gathering to take advantage of the scholarships.
The Government’s online scholarships programme is the brainchild of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. It is being executed jointly by the Ministries of Education and Public Service, and administered through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning.