The Ministry of Education has supported 2,064 girls in 2024, under the Keeping Girls in School project in Chadiza District in Eastern Province. 

District Education Board Secretary Lawrence Nyirenda said the Keeping Girls in School initiative has further supported 10 girls to tertiary education as per requirement since last year.

Mr Nyirenda also noted  that the demand for school places has continued to grow especially with the introduction of free education.

He said the number of beneficiaries is likely to increase once the list is finally compiled to include girls who completed school last year.

“We were given an opportunity for the girls who finished their education through the support of KGS to apply for tertiary education with government’s commitment to take them to tertiary education and 10 were selected last year from Chadiza,” he said. 

Mr Nyirenda clarified that KGS only supports girls whose parents are on Social Cash Transfer (SCT) as stated in the requirements. 

And, one of the beneficiaries, Cetridah Banda, who is currently in grade 12 at Chadiza Day Secondary School disclosed that the K600 received annually lifts has helped her buy school requirements such as books and uniforms is very helpful to them.

She commended the government for supporting her dream to finish school.  

“I wish to thank the Government for giving us, as girls, an opportunity to be helped under Keeping the Girls in School despite coming from vulnerable families and I especially want to plead with the government to never stop this initiative so that more girls can benefit,” she said.