PSC Charity - Pattaya Sports Club

PSC Scholarship Scheme

While it is well known that PSC supports many schoolchildren with scholarships [130 in fact] through the YWCA’s Happy Families project, what is not so well known is that PSC has recently introduced a new program for Secondary School students. The Happy Families Scholarships award the selected students B1500 per year, while this is a small sum by our standards it is quite helpful to most of the students. However by the time students reach secondary standard that amount is nowhere near enough to pay the school fees and books required to move up to the next level. A student from a broken home with a family income of less than B50, 000 per year would find it almost impossible to support a child at Secondary level. So many outstanding students are denied the opportunity to progress.
At last years AGM the Charity Chairman proposed to the floor a scheme to address this problem, it was suggested that we offer 20 selected students an opportunity to stay in the school system for a longer period by offering a B 10,000 annual Scholarship guaranteed for 3years, with a further 20 students to be added each year until 60 students were in the system. The proposal was passed without objection.
The first 20 students were selected from our pool of 130 students in the Happy Families system and began their secondary education in May of 2006. While the criteria for selection was biased towards need the recipients also had to have an academic level and an enthusiasm that would justify our involvement in their future. Teachers recommendation and parental or guardians permission was also required for them to continue.
The successful students began to benefit at the beginning of School year May 2006. The funds are administered by the YWCA and the School authorities with each student having an opening balance of B10,000 which can only be used for school related items [tuition fees books uniforms study excursions etc.] with receipts to be supplied by the students and accurate records kept of each students account. Academic progress is monitored by PSC and YWCA by way of visits and consultation with the teachers responsible for them, as the first term has been completed these visits have already begun. The visits are combined with interviews with possible candidates for next year’s intake of students.

UPDATE

Of the first 20 students selected 16 are showing great application to their studies with average results of 80% over the total curriculum 2 students were replaced for failing to attend classes and two were replaced for non achievement. The funds remaining in these accounts were transferred to the new students. While it may have seemed harsh to judge those students so quickly it is important to establish standards early so that the students understand what is required of them to participate in the scheme. Interviews for next year are underway with more than half of the pool already short listed with many outstanding candidates still to come. It is time consuming but the Charity Committee feels that if we can give these needy children an opportunity to display their talents they will reward us with achievement. Time will tell but early signs are good.