More than 15 students from Balmagie Primary School and St Jude’s Primary School have received a combined $2 million in scholarships and bursaries from the Sanmerna Foundation as they prepare to transition to several traditional high schools.The students were successful in the just concluded Primary Exit Profile (PEP) and earned placements of their choice.The scholarships were presented during a recent handover ceremony, with the Foundation saying the initiative is aimed at supporting students from inner-city communities, where many families continue to face the rising cost of education and the financial demands associated with entering high school.According to the foundation, the recipients were selected based on their academic excellence, discipline and determination, despite the challenges they have faced.“Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives. At Sanmerna Foundation, we believe that when students work hard and excel, they should be encouraged, celebrated, and supported as they move forward,” said Paige Dixon, project manager at the Sanmerna Foundation.AIM TO INSPIRE STUDENTSThe foundation said the scholarships are intended not only to ease the financial burden on parents but also to inspire students to continue striving for academic success.“These children have shown that excellence is possible regardless of background or circumstance. Our hope is that this contribution will ease some of the burden on parents while reminding every student that their hard work matters and that their community is standing behind them,” said Robert White, director of the Sanmerna Foundation.The Sanmerna Foundation said it remains committed to empowering young people through education and providing meaningful support to families as they work to create brighter futures for their children.