News on FOCHTA’s Secondary school students
In the new school year that started in September 2015, FOCHTA has provided bursary for 81 students. This brings to a total of 1976 students that we have supported since this programme started some thirteen years ago. To improve on the literacy level of our students, we regularly conduct tutorials, literacy workshops, and book-reading sessions in the four libraries we have established.
But in addition to supporting students with their school fees, we are always on the lookout to see to their needs. Every quarter, we conduct a survey to ascertain their living conditions. If the roof on their house they live in is found to need repair, we will do the repairs. Early in 2015, there was a major flood caused by the biggest rainfall ever recorded in the country, resulting in loss of crops, and damage to houses and infrastructure. Accordingly, we provided to some students emergency relief by handing out maize flour, blankets, etc.
As part of the requirements for students to obtain a bursary, they need to do a number of hours of community work, such as helping to look after sick elderly people or to clean their house for them.
Senior students, especially those at tertiary level, as well as the ones who have graduated, are encouraged to do mentoring and to conduct literacy workshops. During the recent school vacation, three university graduates conducted tutorial classes to coach students in English and science subjects.
Tertiary Students
Out of the 20 students whom we have supported to study at universities, 9 have graduated.
Moreover, one - Clara Lemani - has obtained a masters degree (Statistical Science) while Dyton Liphale is in his last year doing a master degree in sociology .