Good Soil Partners bails out needy students

MALAWI: Cases of university students withdrawing due to nonpayment of school fees and the inability to meet living expenses have recently increased.

According to the National Council for Higher Education's 2018 harmonised selection report, less than 30% of those who qualify to enrol in universities have access to higher education.

The high cost of higher education prevents needy and vulnerable students from enrolling.

These are not fully supported because the higher education loan scheme has some inefficiencies, and the Malawi National Education Investment Sector 2020-2030 recognises the need to improve student access to higher education.

As a result, in order to supplement the government's efforts to improve educational access for all deserving students, Good Soil Partners presented a grant of 27 million kwacha to 25 (8 female) students from various public and private universities on Tuesday.

Wambula Saka, Chief Operations Officer of Good Soil Partners, stated at the scholarship award ceremony that multiple barriers make it difficult for students to thrive while pursuing their education.

“This grant will go to 17 male and 8 female students who needed financial assistance to finish their education. Individual students receive a tuition fee and a laptop, which is an essential tool in higher education,” said Saka stated.

“This cheque is accompanied by a capacity-building programme with a focus on entrepreneurship and leadership so that the beneficiaries can be the catalysts of Malawi's economic growth in line with Vision 2063.”

After receiving the grant, one of the scholars, Angellah Nkhoma, a fourth-year student supported by Good Soil Partners, praised the organization's gesture as a positive contribution to higher education in Malawi.

“This grant has helped me to focus on my studies without worrying about where I will get my school fees,” Nkhoma said.

Concurring with Angellah, Austin Kabango narrated how such a scholarship has supported his education.

“In two months’ time, I will be graduating with Bachelors of Agriculture Economics from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This has been possible because Good Soil Partners has been supporting my four-year degree studies,” said Kabango.

He encouraged his fellow students to take advantage of the opportunity in order to attain their goals.

The Director of Higher Education, Dr Levi Enaya, who was the guest of honour at this event, praised Good Soil Partners for working with the government to alleviate the challenges that tertiary students face.

He stated that, while the government has provided loans to a significant number of students, they are far from reaching every needy student in tertiary institutions.

"We are urging various stakeholders to learn from Good Soil Partners' experience in assisting Malawian youths, who are our future leaders. Let us join the government in ensuring that no one is denied the right to an education due to a lack of funding,” said Eneya.

Other guests at the event included the Director of Planning and Development, the Chief Executive Officer for Lilongwe East, and the Director of Higher Education for the Student Loans and Grants Board.

Good Soil Partners is a Christian organisation that educates, engages, and empowers Malawian youth to become leaders through secondary and higher education.

Over the last ten years, Good Soil Partners has educated over 1000 students through its Scholarship Program. Education is critical because it represents an investment in human capital.

This has far-reaching implications on many levels and spheres. It benefits the individual, the family, the community, and the country. Education is a long-term solution to poverty and long-term change.

As a result, any effort to bring about long-term change must include education in some form or another. Good Soil Partners contributes to the development and economic growth of Malawi by providing education scholarships to underprivileged youths.

In order to educate more youths in Malawi, Good Soil Partners is looking forward to collaborating with stakeholders who are seeking to transform the lives of Malawian youth in order to help them build a brighter future and contribute to the country's development.