Inner-city PEP winners rewarded with $2M In scholarships

More than 15 students from two inner-city primary schools are heading to high school with one less financial burden after receiving a combined $2 million in scholarships and bursaries for their outstanding PEP performance.

The beneficiaries, from Balmagie Primary School and St. Jude's Primary School, secured placements at several traditional high schools following the recently concluded Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations.

The scholarships were presented during a recent handover ceremony by the Sanmerna Foundation, which said the initiative is designed to support students from inner-city communities where many families struggle to meet the growing cost of education.

According to the Foundation, the recipients were selected based on their academic excellence, discipline and determination despite the challenges they have faced.

"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 Foundation said the scholarships are intended to help ease the financial burden on parents while encouraging students to continue pursuing academic excellence.

"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 said it remains committed to empowering young people through education and providing meaningful support to families as they work towards creating brighter futures for their children.

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