Guardian Life Limited, through the Guardian Group Foundation (Guardian), will celebrate two decades of investment in Jamaica’s young people by hosting its 20th annual Scholarship and Grants Awards Ceremony on Monday, August 31, 2026, at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. 

What began as a scholarship programme supporting outstanding students transitioning to secondary school has evolved into a long-standing investment in educational opportunity, recognising generations of young Jamaicans for academic excellence and providing financial support to help them continue their education.

Over the past 20 years, Guardian has invested more than J$70 million in scholarships and grants, supporting 217 students through their educational journeys. This year, another 44 students will be recognised, marking another chapter in Guardian’s longstanding commitment to investing in Jamaica’s youth. 

Among this year’s honourees are Jamaica’s National PEP Top Boy, Neeraj Sahukar, and Top Girl, Zurie Cousins, both from Creative Kids Learning Academy in Kingston. Both students will attend Campion College and are recognised for their outstanding performance in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP). The scholarship support will assist them throughout their five-year secondary school journey, providing additional support as they transition to the next stage of their education.

For Meghon Miller-Brown, President of Guardian Life Limited, the anniversary offers an opportunity to recognise the programme’s history and, importantly, to celebrate the young people who are now beginning a new chapter in their lives. 

“Twenty years is an important milestone for Guardian, but this year’s ceremony is ultimately about the students and the excellence they have demonstrated. These young Jamaicans have worked extraordinarily hard, supported by their parents, teachers and communities, and their achievements deserve to be celebrated. As they begin this next chapter, full of possibility, we hope this recognition encourages them to remain ambitious, curious and committed to excellence. We are immensely proud to celebrate them and excited about what their futures may hold.”

The programme was established in 2005, during the era of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), and has continued through Jamaica’s transition to the PEP. Over the past twenty years, its reach has expanded to support students at different stages of their education and to recognise achievement among policyholders’ children, students from partner schools, and members of the wider Guardian community.

The programme’s 20-year journey reflects a longstanding commitment to creating opportunities for young Jamaicans. By providing financial support at key stages of their education, the initiative helps ease some of the financial pressures associated with education while encouraging students to continue striving for excellence.

Its impact extends beyond the scholarships and grants awarded each year. Over the past two decades, recipients have had greater opportunities to pursue secondary and tertiary education, develop their talents and build the knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities and country.