Minister DeeAnn Kentish-Rogers and Mr. Bren Romney
With the advent of COVID-19, and the corresponding financial pressures that have affected many families — especially workers in the hospitality industry who have become unemployed — much economic hardship has been ushered in on our communities. In order to alleviate some of this hardship on students now entering the ALHCS, ANGLEC has come to their aid by offering the “Supporting Education Together” (SET) programme by which qualified students can benefit.
According to an ANGLEC communiqué, “The SET is ANGLEC’s Secondary School educational assistance for families with high school students in Anguilla. The programme will serve as a joint enterprise between ANGLEC, the Ministry of Social Development, Education, and select partners, to allow for maximum reach, effectiveness and sustainability within communities island-wide.
In a press release at ANGLEC’s Headquarters on Wednesday morning, August 26th, ANGLEC’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Jemila Morson-Hodge, explained: “This is the official soft launch of what will be ANGLEC’s first Secondary School level scholarship support called the SET Programme, which is has been formed in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development. We are hoping that with this soft launch of a pilot project we will start to change the culture around what it means to support education as a community.”
The Hon. Minister of Social Development, Ms. DeeAnn Kentish-Rogers, remarked on the collaboration of her Ministry with ANGLEC on the programme. She said that, similar to ANGLEC’s Horizons Education Programme, which renders aid to Primary School students, the SET Programme is now poised to offer assistance to students at the Secondary School level. She counted this ANGLEC’s initiative as one of the community’s private partners responding to a need, noting: “The Ministry of Education had sent out some communications earlier this month indicating that we were willing to partner, and work, with any private enterprise or individuals who had any ideas as to how we can meet the financial needs for affected families who are financially challenged, at this time, through the impact of COVID-19.”
She continued to elaborate: “The pandemic has affected many of our local parents and has impeded their ability to meet the cost of their children’s education. We felt that it was incumbent to do more with less but, by all means, we wanted to do more to meaningfully assist these parents. We have had a great partnership with ANGLEC, and the company has responded to our call by coming on board to offer a well-rounded package which would defray the educational costs that parents would have to meet this year. We are really excited and happy for SET, as we ‘Support Education Together.”
According to Mrs. Morson-Hodge, “This year, ANGLEC has had its own financial burdens, but we are expecting this SET programme to grow over future years. We are inviting other community partners to come on board with us. Other businesses are invited to join us as together we make the cost of secondary education easier for our people in need.”
In explaining what the aid entails, Mrs. Morson-Hodge said: “we are looking at the family unit and specifically at the student as an individual. In so doing, we want to make sure that there are elements in place that not only support the financial structure but also take into consideration the esteem of the student. In this regard, we want to focus on students who are striving for excellence. This scholarship programme will primarily provide school supplies that will be obtained via ANGLEC vouchers. We are focusing mainly on providing textbooks. If additional supplies are needed, these may be indicated on the application form which can be obtained from the ANGLEC Headquarters or the Ministry of Education.”
Education Officer, Mr. Bren Romney, remarked: “I want to say a huge thank you to ANGLEC. This is by no means the only programme that ANGLEC supports us with. I can say that ANGLEC has set itself apart as a true community partner, especially where education is concerned — everything from the Primary School Awards, School Sports, and the Primary Schools’ Horizons Scholarship initiative.
“So on behalf of the Department of Education,” he continued, “and on behalf of the Minister, as well, we want to express our continued gratitude for all that ANGLEC does. We do appreciate the partnership, and we know that our parents and our students appreciate it as well. We look forward to even greater things because it is quite clear that ANGLEC has a firm interest in the education of our students.”
Mrs. Morson-Hodge was careful to mention the work of two designated members of the ANGLEC team who will be playing a key role in assisting with the administration of the scholarship programme. These noteworthy individuals, Ms. Jeritza Samuel and Mr. Ojavani Mussington, are members of the Public Relations Committee and, according to Mrs. Morson-Hodge they are very passionate and innovative about the education system in Anguilla.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
