Last Updated on November 25, 2019, 11:17 PM AST by Anthony Morris
The NexGen SKN Labour Administration will reintroduce the REACH programme and other incentives to develop the young minds of the future generation of St Kitts and Nevis when it wins the next general elections.
This commitment has come from Leader of the Opposition and National Political Leader of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), The Right Hon Dr Denzil L Douglas, who always had a genuine mission of empowering students and young people.
The Recognising Everyone’s Ability to Climb Higher (REACH) initiated by the SKNLP administration under the leadership of Dr Douglas was geared towards boosting post-secondary education and training across the entire Federation.
The REACH programme provided two-year scholarships and grant financing thus creating opportunities for students in the Federation leaving Secondary School to easily pursue higher academic learning and certified vocational and technical training.
For students graduating from post-secondary institutions seeking employment, the REACH Programme helped them to go for the short-term professional and life and work skills training, so critically important for the development of a competitive and efficient workforce.
The REACH provided financing for St Kitts and Nevis students to attend the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC), the Nevis Sixth Form College, the AVEC, or any other post-secondary training programme in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Each high school student who was enrolling in the CFBC or the Nevis Sixth Form College was provided with a basic yearly academic allowance in the amount of EC$2,500 to aid them in meeting their financial obligations associated with post-secondary education.
The Labour Government also provided an additional EC$250 to the student for every CXC/CSEC subject passed above five subject passes up to 8 subjects passes and an additional EC$100 for every subject pass above 8 subjects passes.
Students who attended CFBC or the Nevis Sixth Form Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Foreign Languages received an additional EC$1000 annually as a special incentive for pursuing these subjects.
Students who graduated from Fifth Form, AVEC, CFBC or the Nevis Sixth Form College and intended to seek employment in that same year, were entitled to an award in the amount of EC$1,400.00 per month to enroll in a three-month Professional Training programme.
Students had to undertake advanced-level training leading to a Microsoft Office Specialist Certification, facilitated by local Microsoft certified business specialists, or pursue certified training courses and workshops in Life and Work Skills, facilitated by the University of the West Indies Open Campus in St Kitts and Nevis.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
