Privileged Nigerians on Twitter, as we debate macro issues, let’s not forget the human beings behind them. In Abiriba this weekend, my aunt, a secondary school teacher (who hasn’t been paid for 7 months btw) talked of her bright students who can’t afford WAEC exam fees....
I asked how much fees were. 17k naira for the fees & 6k school fees per term for the final year. So 35k naira. £76 or US$96. Less than some of us drop in a night at a club. I asked if she knew any. She reeled out names. Did what I could but kept wondering...
Could the government or the school or a church or an NGO not collate these names (or numbers) of the bright indigent students on a regular basis & crowdfund for them? How can someone’s entire future hang on £76 & a chance conversation ?
I’ve been overwhelmed today with messages from people wanting to help, either by donating or helping set up something to help. Thank you all
An initiative I didn’t know of till today was @scholarxEdu which allows students needing help to apply & those wanting to help to donate..
An initiative I didn’t know of till today was @scholarxEdu which allows students needing help to apply & those wanting to help to donate..
Here’s a link to their website scholarx.co/#about
From a first glance, not having gone into details, I think it’s a brilliant idea that more people (potential student applicants and potential donors) should know about.
From a first glance, not having gone into details, I think it’s a brilliant idea that more people (potential student applicants and potential donors) should know about.
I’ve also suggested to the founder @BWLawal to see if they (or another organisation) can begin to collate each year the number of students getting to WAEC year in each school in each state needing help & publish that so that their potential applicants and donors are fully aware..
My initial thought was why can’t the state govts write to all the schools in the state annually & have them identify the students getting into final year who cannot afford the fees. The govt can then publish the list...
(Not necessarily with the student names to ensure their privacy), the list could just say Aba High School has 5 students needing fees; Umuahia College has 10 etc & then individuals & organisations can reach out directly to the schools or work with @scholarxEdu to raise funds...
Does anyone know any state that might be willing and able to pilot it? Is anyone touched to work on developing this?
