Youth Scholarship Program
In our partner communities, in rural Northern Ghana, educational opportunities are limited. There are two small primary schools for approximately 1,500 youth, but unfortunately the schools often lack teachers and supplies. There are no public middle or high schools near the communities. Thus, students who complete our early childhood education program (pre-K to 3rd grade) need support to continue their education.
To address this challenge, we began a youth scholarship program. Children who pass private school entrance exams join this program at the end of level three (third grade). Our partners find placements in local private schools for each student after meeting with both the children and their families to discuss their goals. Students then continue their education in their private school until they take national exams and apply to high school. If students pass these national exams, then we support their attendance at the residential high school where they are assigned by the Ghanaian education service.
Currently, 48 students are attending private schools and four are enrolled in public high schools. Three of our students graduated from high school this year! In January 2022, 15 new students will join the scholarship program as they have graduated from our early childhood learning centers and successfully passed entrance exams to regional private schools.
For each student in the scholarship program, Engage Globally provides registration fees, testing fees, a bicycle or other transportation costs, books and school supplies, uniforms, and shoes. The average annual cost of this program ranges from $360 per student in primary school to $800 per student for high schools. All students' progress is evaluated annually for attendance, grades, and annual test results. Community leaders mentor the youth and meet with their families to ensure that there is family support for attending school.
To address this challenge, we began a youth scholarship program. Children who pass private school entrance exams join this program at the end of level three (third grade). Our partners find placements in local private schools for each student after meeting with both the children and their families to discuss their goals. Students then continue their education in their private school until they take national exams and apply to high school. If students pass these national exams, then we support their attendance at the residential high school where they are assigned by the Ghanaian education service.
Currently, 48 students are attending private schools and four are enrolled in public high schools. Three of our students graduated from high school this year! In January 2022, 15 new students will join the scholarship program as they have graduated from our early childhood learning centers and successfully passed entrance exams to regional private schools.
For each student in the scholarship program, Engage Globally provides registration fees, testing fees, a bicycle or other transportation costs, books and school supplies, uniforms, and shoes. The average annual cost of this program ranges from $360 per student in primary school to $800 per student for high schools. All students' progress is evaluated annually for attendance, grades, and annual test results. Community leaders mentor the youth and meet with their families to ensure that there is family support for attending school.
Recent Program Highlights
In October of 2021, two students Fuseina and Suale, pictured above, graduated from high school. Both have been hired as staff members to help support our growing educational and vocational training programs. Completing high school in this region is very unusual and we are quite proud of these students' success.
Students in the scholarship program engaged in a variety of service projects to support their communities and to strengthen their teamwork and professional skills. Students planted trees and assisted with youth soccer programs. Others were trained as public health educators to share the importance of hand washing with their communities.
In 2018, 16 students and CRI staff traveled to Mole National Park to learn about Ghanaian animals and wildlife conservation. While at the park, the students participated in a conservation through photography training, led by a National Geographic Explorer. We were all thrilled to see elephants and other wildlife. We are planning further environmental field trips soon.
