The Jackson Foundation, a non-profit organisation has presented a scholarship package worth GHC52,500.00 to 15 students including five women studying at Jackson College of Education (JCE) at its official launch at Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi.
The Foundation’s primary objective is to seek funds to facilitate a well-structured financial aid – scholarship scheme for brilliant but deprived students including the physically-challenged. It further seeks to offer award for Women Empowerment, Early Childhood Trainees and finally, an award scheme for French Studies Trainees.
It would further concentrate on Community Engagement Training and Professional Training Programmes; the provision of First Class Learning facilities, as well as forming a critical cohort of both students and formidable alumni to develop the next leaders in education.
The beneficiaries drawn from the various study centres across the country each received GHC3,500.00 and bespoke JCE tablets to aid their studies.
Mrs Theodosia Jackson, Co-chair of the foundation presented the package to the beneficiaries.
Addressing the audience at the colourful ceremony, Mrs Jackson who doubles as the Principal of Jackson College of Education (JCE) said the goal was to provide equal and equitable opportunities for people whose aspirations to be trained as teachers were in sync with JCE’s vision to increase the number of professional teachers in the country.
She, however, highlighted the fact that the Foundation’s target was to offer a scholarship to 100 students annually, adding that it would strictly be awarded on merit.
She noted that despite the affordable and flexible payment terms most students of the college struggle to pay their fees due to financial constraints. A situation, she observed, informed the initiative to set up the foundation to support deserving students.
She appealed to corporate bodies, philanthropists and other stakeholders in the education sector to support the foundation in its quest to improve quality education.
Mr Richard Ahiadeke, the best student of JCE and a scholarship beneficiary, moved the audience to tears when he told a chilling story of how it became almost impossible for him to access education after the demise of both parents.
On behalf of all beneficiaries thanked the Jackson Foundation for the kindness shown them.
Mr Jacob A. M. Kor, Director-General of Ghana Education Service (GES), applauded the initiative which he described as a key intervention.
He said the role being played by JCE is contributing immensely to the development of the education sector. In this light, he added that the foundation is worth supporting.
The Director-General again, noted that education is a springboard to success; hence, he challenged the beneficiaries to work hard to justify the investment made in them.
