out scholarships.

Eight students -- seven women and one man -- will share in the $100,000 Government scholarship fund for 1996.

And guests at a ceremony in the Hamilton Princess on Thursday heard that the awards were the most prestigious Government had to offer.

Education Department Permanent Secretary Marion Robinson said academic excellence was just one part of the criteria students had to meet to qualify.

She added recipients also had to demonstrate they were "well-rounded young people'' with a commitment to community service, sport and other activities.

Education Minister Jermome Dill said: "It's significant, I think, that our young people these days are achieving more and more.'' He added that Government had committed $1.18 million to educational support -- not including the $2 million paid out in Government's guarantee scheme.

The Government Scholars were joined by six Teacher Training Award winners and and 48 first-time winners of further education awards and interest-free student loans.

There are 324 students being funded by Government. Teacher Training Awards account for $45,000, Further Education Awards for $741,500 and $200,000 is spent on interest free loans. Government is this year spending $95,000 for subsidised education in the UK.

TOP CLASS -- Education Minister Jerome Dill congratulates five Government Scholarship winners. They are (from left) Shaina Kelly, Mekisha Hill, Satinah Furbert and Alnisha Daniels. Melissa Butler's scholarship was accepted on her behalf by sister Angeline.

WRIGHT ON! -- Helen Wright receives the 1996 $10,000 Arthur Andersen Scholarship from the firm's recruiting director Anthony S. Cordeiro. It is awarded to a student hoping to become an accountant.