By THE INDEPENDENT UG
Nwoya, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Leaders in Nwoya District have urged TotalEnergies E&P to consider incorporating boys into its scholarship program designed for young girls completing primary education.
TotalEnergies E&P has been supporting girls through its Girl Child scholarship program, initiated in 2015 in the Tilenga Oil Project area of Nwoya and Buliisa districts. Annually, the program selects ten talented girls on merit from project areas and sponsors their ordinary-level education for four years.
Philip Oryema, the acting Nwoya District Education Officer, appreciates the sponsorship initiative for girls but points out that sidelining boys has resulted in a decline in boys registering for the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) in the district. Oryema notes that the PLE enrollment analysis shows fewer boys than girls have been sitting PLE for two consecutive years, attributing this decline to scholarship initiatives favoring girls.
According to statistics from the district Education department, 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, and the number rose to 1,216 in 2023.
Oryema made the appeal during an orientation meeting for beneficiaries of the Total E&P Girl Child scholarship program and their parents in Anaka Town Council in Nwoya District. Ten bright girls from different schools in 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.
TotalEnergies E&P has provided the beneficiaries with medical insurance, scholastic materials, bedding, upkeep cash, and more while attending school.
While commending TotalEnergies E&P for supporting bright and vulnerable girls, Oryema cautioned parents to be prepared for responsibilities when their daughters complete their ordinary-level education.
Moses Holy Ojok, the Nwoya District Vice Chairperson, highlights that many frustrated boys have dropped out of school and turned to alcohol, emphasizing that similar opportunities for boys could prevent this. Ojok suggests that, with available resources, TotalE&P should consider adding boys to the list of sponsored students to promote inclusive education.
Christopher Ochowun, the Total E&P Public Relations and Public Affairs Coordinator, acknowledges that the program targets girls due to their vulnerability to dropping out of school. He notes that discussions will be held to consider including boys in the program. The scholarship program, initiated in 2013, has benefited a total of 250 students joining ordinary and advanced level education.
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