Pilot Bursary Scheme – Second round of Applications
The Synod, at its meeting in May 2024, recognised the increasing moral and religious dangers of secularised education for our young people and the difficulties faced by parents and children in the current climate. The Synod accordingly authorised the Education Committee to establish a trial bursary scheme to assist Free Presbyterian parents in their endeavours to provide for their children educational material with a greater Christian ethos, and to counteract false teaching in schools. The scheme is being piloted for a period of one year and is initially open to parents based in Scotland. It is hoped that it may eventually be available to Free Presbyterian families further afield.
The bursary scheme is open to: (1.) Those who attend state schools but whose parents wish to provide additional or alternative education material from a specifically Christian point of view. Examples of this would be suitable materials or courses in subjects such as Scripture, Creation, Church history and Christian moral principles. (2.) Those who are not in the state system, to assist in the provision of general education from a Christian standpoint. This could provide, for example, assistance with course, school or examination fees, or the purchase of resources such as textbooks, or other expenses.
The scheme is intended to provide some assistance to parents but not to cover all expenses incurred. The Education Committee will determine the level of individual disbursements.
A number of families have already benefited from the first round of applications, which closed in September. Applications for the second round are now invited from those who did not apply in the first round, and also from those who did receive assistance but have now incurred additional expense for new courses or unexpected costs. Parents who wish to apply should obtain an application form from the Clerk, Dr Alex Ross, by email: FPCSEducationCommittee@gmail.com or by post: 70 Foindle, Laig, Sutherland, IV27 4SU. The deadline for applications is 7 February 2025.
College and Library Fund
By appointment of Synod, the second of the year’s two special collections for the College and Library Fund is due to be taken in congregations in December.
W Campbell, General Treasurer