This year’s General Proficiency Award winners have been announced and 21 students from Horizon School Division have been selected for their outstanding grades.
“The General Proficiency Award is basically an award that’s given to Grade 12 graduates who (achieved high marks) in all seven courses,” said Kevin Garinger, director of education for Horizon School Division. “The division looks at what are your overall marks are and if you’ve achieved general proficiency.”
By receiving this award, students are also each given a $400 scholarship, which they can put towards post-secondary education. In order for them to qualify for this award, they must demonstrate general proficiency in English Language Arts A 30; English Language Arts B 30; (Francais immersion 30, Francais fransaskois A 30 or Francais fransaskois B 30 may be used instead); one of Social Studies 30, History 30 or Native Studies 30; one 30-level science; one 30-level math; and two 30-level electives.
“This is actually used to support students … it gives them the opportunity to enter post-secondary school and it’s certainly an incentive to utilize those funds,” said Garinger. “(Receiving this award) has a very significant impact for kids that achieve that level. They can move on without any issues in terms of getting into a post-secondary institution.”
While the schools make sure the students are made aware of the opportunity and what is required, the government does the selection process and provides the funding. The number of awards available will be calculated based on the number of Grade 12 graduates enrolled each year and the amount of funding available.
