LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Standard Bank has partnered with Press Trust in sponsored secondary school merit-based scholarship amounting to MK30,103,000.
Through the initiative, Standard Bank Plc’s has funded full year education scholarships for 68 students in various government schools across the country.
The scholarship offers learners entitlements including school uniform, school bag, school shoe, calculator, examination fee and writing materials (books and pens).
During symbolic presentation to beneficiaries on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at Likuni Boys Secondary School in the capital Lilongwe, Standard Bank’ Head of Legal and Company Secretary Norah Nsanja inspired students with her life story to work hard in class for better future.
Nsanja told learners that good life does not come easy but perseverance and hard work for life achievements.
“Work hard in class and make use of the scholarship as you are a lucky generation. During out times, there wasn’t enough institutions to sponsor students.
“Standard Bank is partnering with Press Trust for growth of Mother Malawi through education support hence the need for beneficiaries of the scholarship to make use of it,” she says.
Nsanja adds, “The bank has a solid history of supporting build capacity in education through infrastructure improvements, ICT support, Stationary and financial scholarships. So, we expect nothing but good results from student”.
Echoed on the same, Press Trust Chief Executive Officer Gibson Ngalamila says better future is cultured in quality education hence the support.
Ngalamila disclosed that the Trust is in partnership with the bank seeking to collaborate and deliver impactful social investments that directly benefit the people of Malawi.
One of the beneficiaries, Alex Chikwinde, Likuni Boys form 3 learner lauded the initiative saying will go a long way to motivate him to do better in class.
Education Ministry’s Director of Secondary Schools Dr. Florida Banda lauded Standard Bank for the timely support saying many learners in public schools are dire need of financial support to attain life dreams through quality education.
Press Trust and Standard Bank entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 4 2020 that sponsored cohort of 74 students (Best performing girl and boy from each of the 34 Education Districts in Malawi) for their entire secondary education at an estimated cost of MK120 million over a four-year period from 2019.
As of March 2022, Ninety-one percent (91%) of the students are successfully retained and transitioned to form 3, while nine (9%) of students from the cohort opted for self-sponsored places in private secondary schools.
Under the joint programme, a 112-bed hostel is under construction at Lilongwe Girls National Secondary School estimated at MK160 million.
Currently, institutions benefiting from the partnership including Institutions Che Januare Primary School, Mzuzu Government Secondary School, DAPP colleges, Lilongwe Girls Secondary, University of Malawi and among others.