COLOMBO: Bright Student Scholarship (BSS) program of Berendina supporting 1168 students of the most vulnerable students in the community has shown pragmatic impact in the year 2020 with an overall pass rate of 70%. Significantly it is observant that 751 students have passed among the 1070 students who sat for the G.C.E Advance Level Examination in 2020.
In addition, conspicuously intense performance of students remarked in 2020 evinced District and Island ranks. Ms Vidyananthan Kamshiya placed 2nd in Mullaitivu District by obtaining 2As and B in Science with a GPA of 1.9257. Moreover, Mr Sevaraja Arjun with a GPA of 2.3185 and Mr Lafeer Mohamed Theesan with a GPA of 2.2964 achieved 2nd and 3rd places in Trincomalee District respectively from the Mathematics stream thus possessing 3As. Further, 4 students have positioned themselves within the first three places in the Vavuniya and Trincomalee Districts under the Commerce stream by obtaining 3As; Ms. Konara Mudiyanselage Kaveesha Kavindi positioning 1st in Trincomalee District with a GPA of 2.2684, Ms. Amirthalingam Saraniya positioning 1st in Vavuniya District with a GPA of 1.8583, Ms. Ilanganthilaka Mudiyanselage Janeesha Nethmina positioning 2nd in Trincomalee District with a GPA of 2.2070 and Mr. Jayasooriya Arachchige Hasanga Piyumal Jayawickrama positioning 3rd in the Trincomalee District with a GPA of 2.1749. Eventually, significant achievement has been recorded in the stream of Technology ratifying district ranks; Mr. Kanthasamy Habileswaran positioning 2nd in Trincomalee District by obtaining 3As with a GPA of 2.5402, Mr. Vishvanathan Priyan positioning 2nd in Nuwara Eliya District by obtaining ABC with a GPA of 1.924 and Ms. Rajawel Priyasha positioning 3rd in Nuwara Eliya District by obtaining A, 2Bs with a GPA of 1.9561. Moreover, Ms. Hewagamage Ruwani Priyamali has also positioned 1st in Nuwara Eliya District having obtained 3As with a GPA of 2.1775 in the Arts stream.
Coherently beneficiaries of BSS from Trincomalee District have achieved 2nd place in Technology, two positions within the first 3 places in Mathematics and first 3 places in Commerce stream thus recording the highest performing District in the BSS program.
BSS program initiated in the year 2016 offers scholarships to the students who qualify for the G.C.E Advanced Level Examination by obtaining a minimum of 6 credit passes concluding a “B” Pass for Mathematics in Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Ginigathhena, Kegalle, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Nuwara-Eliya, Trincomalee and Vavuniya Districts. Besides the results obtained, economical background of the students has been taken into consideration with the aim of achieving the vision of Berendina. Hence, families with a maximum per capita income of LKR 7,500 are regarded to be obtained of this grant opportunity. Substantially, financial support of LKR 1,000 is provided for the students who qualify for Arts, Commerce and Technology streams whilst LKR 1,500 is provided for the students who qualify for Mathematics and Science streams on a monthly basis. Grant has been utilized to pay the extra classes, purchase of study materials, uniforms and stationaries, covering the transportation expense to the school/ after school classes, purchase of essential items and medical treatments over the past years based on the needs of the beneficiaries.
Currently, more than 2,300 students have been enrolled in the BSS program to succeed their journey in education in order to achieve academic and professional qualifications, and stance managerial roles in prestigious organizations whilst building entrepreneurial mindset thus leading to the reduction in the unemployment rate of Sri Lanka. Hence, these beneficiaries are been supported from the commencement of their advanced level education to higher qualifications in order to avoid snags in terms of finance. Berendina’s BSS program thrives to create potential youths who reach heights in their profession, bring pride and honour to their community and setting examples for the next generation.
