By Japhet Munkondya

The Ministry of Education has given scholarships to 16 girls in Northern Province under the Keeping Girls in Schools (KGS) programme.

The scholarship will allow the 16 girls to pursue tertiary education from selected schools of higher learning.

And Kasama Mayor Theresa Kolala, who witnessed the handover of the offer letters, encouraged the girls to value the opportunity.

Mrs Kolala said the move shows the commitment of government to having an educated citizenry.

She said the scholarship that the government has given to these vulnerable girls is a huge relief to their families.

She said some girls did not have the resources to pursue further studies after completing their secondary schools, stating they were just staying in communities.

The mayor explained that the gesture by the ministry of education has also helped to lessen the burden the parents had in trying to send them to higher learning institutions.

She said government has done its part by offering scholarships to the girls, stating that it is now up to them to do their best in their studies.

Mrs Kolala said girls should also consider themselves lucky because there are a lot of people looking for the same opportunity in society.

Kasama District Education Board Secretary James Chibuye disclosed that 18 girls applied for the Keeping Girls in Schools tertiary support, and 16 have been given the scholarship.

Mr Chibuye said the ministry of education in Kasama District is so excited about this milestone.

He encouraged people to take advantage and apply for this programme so that a lot of girls could be supported.

Mr Chibuye said government through the ministry of education, wants more girls to be educated and have a better future.

He said the girls who have been supported to go for tertiary studies, were those who were also supported under the same programme at secondary school.

Mr Chibuye said this is a great opportunity for the girls stating that it did not come easily.

Meanwhile, Major Kaputu, the mother of one of the beneficiary girls, said she is grateful to government for helping her girl to further her studies.

Mrs Kaputu said she has been struggling to find resources to send her child to school, and government has answered her cry.

She said government has indicated that it wants to provide equal services to its citizens by not segregating who benefits from the programme.

Mrs Kaputu said her child completed school two years ago, and she has been staying home since then, despite having good results.

The scholarship will cover tuition fees, meal and book allowances, and all other costs that the institution will demand.