By Vincent Gunde

An organization which works to empower all girls in Africa to have equal access to education and that young scholars be empowered to finish school- Advancing Girls’ Education in Africa (AGE Africa), says its scholarship programme has sent 162 scholars (90 females and 72 makes) to partner secondary schools across Dowa and outside the district.

AGE Africa has leveraged girls and young scholars education into viable opportunities for earned income, and have the tools they need to self – educate for their own life choices.

The organization said the programme is being implemented in Dowa, Mchinji and Kasungu districts on components such as secondary and post secondary scholarships, community engagement and Life Skills, career placement and transition support, and stakeholder engagement.

Presenting the proramme progress report to the District Education Network in Mponela – Dowa, the organization’s District Officer Tamara Chalanda, said the programme has an objective of contributing to future leaders of Malawi by providing end – to – end educational support for children in tobacco farming communities.

She said the sponsorship programme is for each scholar entitled to 4 years secondary education, 4 years for tertiary education and one year placements depending on the field of study saying the scholarship model include tuition and accomodation, meals, books, laptop, stipend and follow – up support.

The District Officer said secondary scholarship combines merit, economic validation and agreement signing, shortlisting top students based on performance, needs assessment, and ranking using findings from standardized vulnerability assessment.

“Key implication for schools, accuracy of learner records, discipline information and continuous assessment records matters during validation,” said Chalanda.

She said activities under secondary scholarship package include tuition/ boarding fees, school supplies such as, sugar, sanitary pads, note books and pens, uniform, school shoes, mathematical instruments, lighting torch, bathing and laundry soap, rent (self – boarding), pocket money and upkeep for self – boarders.

Chalanda said the programme has registered remarkable achievements in Dowa, Mchinji and Kasungu districts such as the scholarship helping scholars to remain in schools, delaying marriages among girls, increased girls agency at both school and community levels, improved facilitation and leadership skills as a result of participating in CHATS club.

However, Chalanda said the programme is meeting some challenges in the course of implementation such as poor academic performance, indiscipline among scholars, lack of parental support both socially and academically, among others.

She said the organization has taken actions in addressing the challenges such as structured academic clinics and parental engagement meetings, programme review meeting with partner secondary schools, and withdrawing some scholars from the scholarship due to indiscipline and poor performance.

In his remarks, Executive Director of Kasalika Development Community Gift Mwale, said he would have loved the scholarship programme covers all vulnerable girls across Dowa district looking at the success stories registered.

Mwale expressed hope that AGE Africa will lobby support from its scholarship programme donor – PMI to reach out to many needy scholars in the district with bursary schemes.