The morning of Thursday August 2, 2018 was overcast, but it was a particularly bright day for several Sterling Products Ltd. employees whose children got generous bursaries from the company to lessen their parents’ back-to-school expenses in the new school year.
At the brief presentation ceremony at the company’s headquarters, Human Resources Officer, Ms. Yvette Fiedtkou underscored Sterling Products’ firm commitment to the bursary award programme. She noted that this year’s bursary—a one-off disbursement of $65,000— was for employees’ children who will be starting their secondary education in September.
The seven students who got bursary awards were: Angela Persaud; Alika Shaw; Tarun; Saktua, AkeelahPersaud; Emika Thomas; Samir Ishmael; RomelPersaud and Daniele Shaw.
Ms. Fiedtkou explained that these seven students qualified for the bursary award by attaining at least 75 percent of the total marks obtainable at the 2018 Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (SSEE).
For more than 25 years, Sterling Products Ltd. has been contributing to the education of employees’ children through annual bursary awards.
At the presentation ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Products Ltd., Mr. Ramsay Ali remarked that the children are embarking on a new chapter in their education, one that is vastly different from primary school.
“We are happy that we can afford to do this and assist you a little bit as you get into a new area of your life…” Mr. Ali said, emphasizing that the disbursements are strictly to offset the children’s education expenses and give them a smooth start as they enter secondary school.
Mr. Ali also encouraged the parents to let management know, from time to time, how the children are performing in school.
Assistant Chief Education Officer of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Samantha Williams said her Ministry salutes valuable assistance of this nature and hopes other companies can contribute in similar ways to raising the standards of education and preparing students to succeed in academic life.
Speaking on behalf of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), which represents the company’s workers, Representative, Mr. Sherwood Clarke explained that trade unionism is not only about fighting for workers’ rights and good working conditions, but also for enhancing workers’ education.
He commended Mr. Ali and Sterling Products Ltd. for agreeing to increase the disbursement and also praised the company’s adult literacy programme in place for some employees.
