"We will benefit 150,000 students from the eight provinces that were selected for this expansion phase", said the person in charge, quoted by Televisão Pública de Angola (TPA).
The provinces in question are Malanje, Huíla, Cunene, Bié, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Cuanza Norte and Cuanza Sul.
"We have the province of Malanje, we have the province of Huíla, Cunene, Lunda Norte, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, (...) are also benefiting from this first phase of expansion of the scholarship", she pointed out.
According to the person responsible, cited by TPA, Angola has a rate of around 32 percent of female dropouts in the first cycle of secondary education, so the emphasis will be on girls.
"That's why this incentive, this subsidy, so that the costs of families keeping their children in school can really be reduced. These are young people who did not have the opportunity to finish their training cycle at the right age, but who will now also be benefited from this scholarship program", said Lúcia Pascoal.
The person in charge also explained that if the student fails once "they have one more chance" to continue their studies the following year, however, if they fail a second time they lose their right to the scholarship.
"If the student fails, the student has one more chance to continue his studies the following year. He will still benefit the following year, but if he fails twice he loses the scholarship", she said, quoted by TPA.
According to Angop, which cites the head of the Ministry of Education, the scholarship program – which in addition to needy students, will also benefit students who are behind in school, within the framework of the Youth and Adult Education project – will be expanded in a phased manner all provinces of the country, with scholarships expected to benefit 900,000 students, in an initial phase in 68 neediest municipalities in Angola.
Regarding the value of the scholarship, each student will be awarded 35 thousand kwanzas per year, in a project lasting five years. The initiative, according to Angop, is funded by the World Bank, through the Girls' Empowerment and Learning for All Project (PAT-II).
It should be noted that Luísa Grilo, Minister of Education, launched, on February 8th, the pilot phase of the project, which only covered Luanda and Bengo.
