Students in the South West District were given a boost on Wednesday through the DSO National Laboratories and South West Community Development Council (CDC) Eduation Grant, which is meant to defray schooling expenses.

This is the second of three years that the grant will be distributed. To raise funds, DSO staff conducted activities including food bazaars, a carwash and a handmade popiah sale.

A total of $125,000 was raised in the past year, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the CDC and given out to over 1,500 secondary and pre-tertiary students from 41 educational institutes in the district. The students will receive $150 if they are in secondary school, and $250 if they are in pre-tertiary institutes.

"The Education Grant builds on our shared belief that education is both an enabler and leveller," said Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of the South West District, at the presentation ceremony at NUS High School for Mathematics and Science.