THE St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) scholarship programme now stands twenty-five students strong. Offered to children of employees who are successful at the Common Entrance exam, the scholarship covers all educational costs for students entering secondary school and exiting the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. That includes the cost of approved text books, stationery supplies, a uniform allowance, school bag, school/facilities fees and one time CXC fees and Cambridge exams.
The scholarship programme began in 1985. Part of the company’s employee benefit programme, it offsets the financial costs associated with school for parents.
This year, two new students were added to the scholarship programme. Nia Charles and Makayla Leon began the new academic year in Form one at the St Joseph’s Convent. The company also provided one student with a bursary.
Under normal circumstances, the two new students would have been welcomed into the programme at the annual LUCELEC Scholarship Social. The event was cancelled due to COVID-19. It would have also been the place to say farewell to the five students who completed their tertiary education and thus “graduated” from the programme.
There are currently 16 secondary school and nine tertiary students on LUCELEC scholarships. Students have to maintain a 65% average in each subject and an overall average of 70% to retain the LUCELEC scholarship.