By S.Browne. Updated 2:30 p.m., Monday, June 29, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Students in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are being encouraged to apply for a regional scholarship programme designed to support secondary school education, as applications open for the second round of the Pearl Allison Lake (P.A.L.) Scholarship Fund.
The initiative, established by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL), honours the memory of Pearl Allison Lake, a long-serving member of the organisation who dedicated 20 years of service to the authority before her passing in June 2024. The scholarship reflects her passion for education and her belief in the transformative power of learning and opportunity.
The latest application cycle follows the successful launch of the programme in September 2025, which attracted 41 applications from across ECTEL’s five Contracting States. Following a competitive evaluation process, five students were selected as the inaugural scholarship recipients.
Among them was Rayshawn Charles of St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua, who represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the programme’s first cohort. The other recipients came from Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.
ECTEL said the scholarship is intended to assist students throughout their secondary school education, provided they maintain a minimum academic average of 70 per cent and continue to demonstrate good character and commitment to their studies.
Reflecting on the programme’s impact, ECTEL Managing Director David Cox said the initiative remains a fitting tribute to Lake’s legacy while helping to nurture the region’s future leaders.
“The Pearl Allison Lake Scholarship Fund is a meaningful way for us to honour Pearl’s legacy, while investing in the future of our region,” Cox said.
“The achievements of our first cohort demonstrate the talent and promise that exist throughout our Contracting States. We are delighted to continue this initiative and encourage eligible students to apply for the next round of scholarships.”
Applications for the second round of the scholarship programme are now open and will close at midnight Atlantic Standard Time on July 19. Eligible students are encouraged to review the application requirements carefully and submit all required documentation before the deadline. Details on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and deadlines are available at http://www.ectel.int and through the respective National Telecommunications Regulatory Commissions (NTRCs) websites.
ECTEL serves as the regional regulatory authority for electronic communications in Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The organisation works to promote open markets, modern telecommunications services and harmonised regulatory policies across the Eastern Caribbean. Through initiatives such as the P.A.L. Scholarship Fund, ECTEL is also supporting educational opportunities and youth development throughout the region.
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