1,250 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS

­­­­­­­­­­­Kingston, Jamaica: Thursday, June 29, 2023

The Government of Jamaica is providing 1,250 scholarships through The Mico University College for Jamaicans preparing to become science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers under a $2.5 billion-dollar Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship Programme. The main aim of this programme, which runs over five years, is to produce qualified, technically proficient, work-ready STEM Teachers for the Jamaican education system.

The scholarship programme, which was launched on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Kingston, is a partnership between the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MOFPS), Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) and The Mico University  College (MUC).

Hon. Nigel Clarke, DPhil., MP, Minister of Finance and the Public Service announced the programme during his 2023/2024 National Budget presentation earlier this year. The recipients of the scholarship will fulfil the GOJ bonding criteria, which helps guarantee that they will teach in our public school system for a defined period.

While delivering his remarks at the launch, Minister Clarke said the STEM scholarship programme forms part of the Government’s efforts to make Jamaica’s workforce globally competitive.

“We are making this national investment in math and science teachers as part of the drive to improve STEM education outcomes which is critical for the expansion of our growth and development opportunities. This all begins with having sufficient numbers of well-trained math and science teachers who are already in high demand. We, therefore, hope to increase the supply of math and science teachers through this scholarship initiative,” said Minister Clarke.

Dr. Asburn Pinnock, President of The MUC mentioned that this programme will give the education system a big boost in supporting teacher education excellence through the provision of financial resources to teachers to complete their studies.

“One of the greatest hindrances for the movement is lack of resources and tuition and so I can see that this is going to be a game changer for parents, guardians and those who support our students as they move towards satisfying their real-life dream,” he highlighted.

Meanwhile, Nickeisha Walsh, Executive Director of the SLB revealed that SLB will not only facilitate payments of scholarships but will be providing additional benefits through their own STEM programme.

“These students can benefit from a reduced interest rate of 6% per annum and are also eligible for good standing benefits of an additional 2% reduction in interest once they maintain a GPA of 2.5 and greater as well as current status during repayment.”

Further information about the programme can be found by contacting Mico or on the Ministry’s website (www.mof.gov.jm).

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For further information contact: 

Corporate Communication & Public Relations Branch

Ministry of Finance and the Public Service

30 National Heroes Circle

Kingston 4

Tel: (876) 932-4656/4660/4655

Email:  Shelly-Ann.Weeks@mof.gov.jm; Shakiel.Rochester-Shorter@mof.gov.jm