Te-Kworo Foundation has committed 105 million shillings to support seven girls admitted to Gulu University, extending its girls’ education programme beyond secondary school.
The seven students, who are the first Senior Six candidates from Kworo High School to join university, were flagged off on Wednesday at a ceremony held at the school in Pader District.
The beneficiaries completed their A-Level education at Kworo High School and will pursue degree programmes including Business Administration, Public Administration and Education.
Jane Stella Okot, the Education Coordinator at Kworo Foundation, said the sponsorship was aimed at testing how far girls can progress when given educational opportunities. “We wanted to find out how far these girls can go when given an opportunity,” Okot said.
She said the foundation’s partners committed Shs105 million to support the seven students through university. This adds to the 90 million shilling already spent for their studies at secondary level.
Reports from the school authorities show that more than 4,000 learners have passed through Kworo Foundation schools, with some graduates now working while others continue with higher education.
The foundation runs Kworo High School in Pader district as the main campus, another campus in Nwoya district and a vocational training centre in Kitgum offering skills training such as tailoring.
Te-Kworo Foundation Deputy Executive Director Milton Obua said the sponsorship is part of the organisation’s wider efforts to support girls’ education, health services and vulnerable communities in northern Uganda.
He urged the students to remain focused at university and asked parents to continue guiding their daughters.
“University comes with many opportunities and challenges. They should remember why they are going there and remain focused on their studies,” Obua said.
He added that the students are expected to become role models for younger girls in the foundation’s schools.
Kworo High School headteacher Beatrice Atim described the achievement as a milestone for the school, which was established in 2018. She said the school, which has 718 students, has also secured its own UNEB examination centre after years of registering candidates elsewhere.
However, Pader Assistant District Education Officer in charge of counseling and guidance, Filder Lalam Rose warned that many girls still struggle to complete their education due to poverty, teenage pregnancy, rape, defilement and domestic violence.
“Educating a girl child means educating a nation,” Lalam said, while commending Kworo Foundation for supporting girls’ education. She called for stronger cooperation between parents, schools and communities to keep girls in school.
The sponsorship comes amid continued education challenges in Northern Uganda. Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) data shows that 31 percent of pupils dropped out of school between 2009/10 and 2018/19, with pregnancy, marriage and parental decisions among factors affecting girls’ continuation in education.
UBOS data also shows Northern Uganda’s primary net enrolment, a foundation of education, rate remains below the national average, estimated at 68.65 percent compared to 80 percent nationally.
Parents attending the ceremony said the support had restored hope for families struggling with poverty and the effects of past conflicts.
Simon Okello, a parent from Lira Palwo in Agago District, thanked the foundation and urged the students to remain disciplined.
One of the beneficiaries, Petraliza Lapolo from Puranga Sub-county in Pader District, said the opportunity had strengthened her determination to pursue education. She encouraged other girls to remain focused and work hard despite challenges-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
