A recent graduate is raising concerns about an academic scholarship she says was promised to her after being publicly highlighted in political campaign material during the last general elections.
Skye Baptiste — daughter of former New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Lauron “Shearer” Baptiste — was prominently featured on the cover of the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) election manifesto. The inclusion celebrated what the manifesto described as outstanding academic achievements by young Vincentians, with Baptiste’s graduation photograph used as a symbol of educational success.
However, Baptiste says that despite her academic record and assurances she understood to be related to scholarship opportunities, she has not yet received the scholarship she was expecting.
“I was told I would receive assistance based on my academic performance,” Baptiste said in a recent statement. “To date, I have not received any scholarship funding.”
Baptiste clarified that she was neither an active supporter of the ULP nor involved in partisan politics, and she expressed surprise when her graduation photo was used so prominently. According to her, the scholarship was presented as a reward for her merit, not for political reasons.
Her father, Lauron “Shearer” Baptiste, previously contested elections under the NDP banner. Some observers say this adds a layer of political complexity to the situation, though Skye maintains that her concerns focus solely on the unfulfilled promise of educational support.
The broader issue of delayed or undelivered scholarships has been raised by several students in recent years, with some claiming long wait times or unclear communication regarding awards. The Ministry of Education has not issued an updated statement regarding Baptiste’s case but has previously said that scholarship processing can be affected by administrative timelines and budgetary constraints.
Meanwhile, Baptiste says she hopes her situation will encourage greater transparency and follow-through for all students.
“This isn’t only about me,” she said. “It’s about ensuring that every student who is told they will receive assistance actually receives it.”
Cliplet News will continue to follow the story and seek official comment on the matter.
