By URN
Leaders in Nwoya District have called on Total Energies E&P to consider including boys in its scholarship scheme targeting young girls who have finished Primary level education.
Total Energies E&P has been supporting girls through its Girl Child scholarship program launched in 2015 in the Tilenga Oil Project area of Nwoya, and Buliisa districts.
Annually, ten bright girls are picked on merit from the project areas and offered four years of sponsorship for their ordinary-level education.
Philip Oryema, the acting Nwoya District Education Officer however says while the initiative of sponsoring girls in school is welcomed, sidelining boys from such initiative has seen a decline in the number of boys registering for PLE in the district.
Oryema said their analysis for PLE enrollment indicates fewer boys than girls have been sitting PLE for two years in a row and attributes the decline to scholarship initiatives that favor girls more than boys.
According to statistics from the district Education department, a total of 1,529 boys sat for PLE in 2022 but the figure dropped to 1,418 in 2023. Meanwhile, 1,153 girls sat for PLE in 2022 but the number rose to 1,216 in 2023.
Oryema made the appeal on Wednesday during an orientation meeting for beneficiaries of the Total E&P Girl Child scholarship program and their parents held in Anaka Town Council in Nwoya District.
At least 10 bright girls selected from different schools within Nwoya District are benefiting from this year’s scholarship program and will attend their four-year education at St. Andrea Kaahwa’s College in Hoima City.
Additionally, the beneficiaries have been offered medical insurance, scholastic materials, bedding, and upkeep cash among others while attending in school.
Oryema lauded Total E&P for the initiative of sponsoring bright and vulnerable girls but cautioned their parents not to relax but instead prepare to take up the responsibilities when they finish their ordinary-level education.
Moses Holy Ojok, the Nwoya District Vice Chairperson says many young boys out of frustration have dropped out of school and are now engaging in drinking alcohol, yet they wouldn’t if they had had the same opportunities as girls.
Ojok notes that once resources are available, Total E&P should consider adding boys to the list of sponsored students to promote inclusive education.
Ojok however advised the girls who are benefiting from the program to concentrate on their education and ensure their sponsorship contracts are not terminated.
Christopher Ochowun, the Total E&P Public Relations and Public Affairs Coordinator says the program targeted girls because they are vulnerable to dropping out of school but notes that they will discuss on having boys too included in the program.
He notes that while the sponsorship program for girls was rolled out in 2015 with just five slots for each district of Nwoya and Buliisa, the numbers have since risen to 10, thanks to discussions and good partnerships.
A total of 250 students have so far benefited from the Total Energies E&P scholarship program that was rolled out in 2013 targeting beneficiaries joining the ordinary level and Advanced level education.
