The Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC) has initiated two scholarship programmes, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Department of Social Development, to assist students in the six Government Primary Schools as well as the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS).

ANGLEC's General Manager, Tommy Hodge at right with others

The initiatives are the ANGLEC Horizons Scholarship, geared towards the Primary Schools; and the Anchored in Excellence School Prize, which focuses on the ALHCS.
General Manager of ANGLEC, Thomas Hodge, officially announced the launching of the two programmes on Thursday August 13. He remarked that they were in keeping with his company’s objective to be a serious contributor to the development of youth and education in Anguilla. He said the programmes followed a number of discussions with the Ministry of Education and the Department of Social Development.

Mr. Hodge explained the function of the Horizons Scholarship: “The ANGLEC Horizon Scholarship was designed to assist students who are in need of financial assistance and have a record of good behavior. This scholarship will be offered to students from all Public Primary Schools ranging from Grade Two to Grade Six.”

According to the rules of the Scholarship, one student would be selected from each eligible year-group of each primary school and the award would provide all required textbooks, other stationery, uniforms and shoes for each child for the whole school year.

As regards the Anchored in Excellence School Prize, Hodge stated that it was created to acknowledge excellent academic achievement in the ALHCS. He said this scholarship would be awarded to students in Forms One to Four of the Comprehensive School. The prize will be a laptop computer or a cash award of EC$1200 if the student declines the computer.

ANGLEC's Head thanked the members of his internal committee who worked “very hard to make these programmes come to a reality.” He also thanked the Ministry of Education and the Department of Social Development for their advice and assistance.

Acting Education Planner Worrel Brooks expressed gratitude to ANGLEC, on behalf of the Ministry of Education and the Department of Social Development, for coming forward with what he described as a “partnership in education.” He said the scholarships would help them to ensure access and equity for all children. “The Horizon Scholarship is an approach that would target our students who are less fortunate and ensure that they have an equal chance to do well in education,” he commented.

Mr. Brooks opined that the Anchored in Excellence School Prize would serve as an incentive to motivate students at the Comprehensive School who might not have intrinsic motivation. He described it as a “very good initiative” and applauded the efforts of ANGLEC.

Commissioner of Social Development Sanford Richardson remarked that the scholarships were extremely timely and “there would not be a lack in terms of applicants to access them at a time when we are facing financial crises worldwide.”

Richardson said that he expected the Department of Social Development to be “bombarded” with a number of persons “accessing assistance in this area.” He stated that his department has been assisting in education “for years” and the ANGLEC assistance would “ease the pain, so to speak.” He looked forward to what he described as the fruits of the investment that were made today in young people and their families.

Science Curriculum Officer Winston Duncan echoed the gratitude of his fellow Government Officials: “Let me express my sincerest gratitude to ANGLEC for these two timely and extremely important ventures. Seeing that the world, and Anguilla by extension, is experiencing some economic hardship, these scholarships are very timely.”

Duncan said that the programmes would support the Education Department’s aim of having students work as hard as possible to improve themselves and everyone around them. He hoped that other business institutions would follow the example.

Application forms for the ANGLEC Horizons Scholarship can be obtained from the ANGLEC Main Office in the Valley and the Public Library. The Anchored in Excellence Prize will be granted to students based on their academic performance during the previous school year.

In December 2008, ANGLEC formed a committee to ensure that it spends its Social Development Budget in proactive ways to fulfill the company’s Social Development Mandate. That mandate focuses mainly on Education, Youth, Sports and Culture and Senior Citizens.

Mr. Hodge said there were a number of other projects the committee was considering. He said, though it was “hard to say at this time,” it might be possible to extend scholarships to other schools on the island depending on the outcome of the current programmes.

Some 34 students across the island stand to benefit from the ANGLEC Scholarships.

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