Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
TWENTY female students have become the first beneficiaries of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholarships being offered by a local charitable organisation.
Selina STEM Trust works to promote the education of young women.
Officiating during the Trust’s launch, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Professor Paul Mavima said the responsibility of educating a child was not limited to one’s family.
“Education should be a national responsibility that Government has to adopt to develop future generations,” said Prof Mavima.
“Every time we fail to give equal opportunities to all learners we are depriving ourselves of a future innovator or a future leader and these don’t always come from the best schools.”
He commended the Selina STEM Trust for supporting underprivileged girls.
“The girl-child has been victimised by walking for more than 15 km to attend to a rural school where they end up not turning up at all.
“Others end up getting married prematurely. Some parents end up withdrawing their children from school and rather have them labour in their fields,” he said.
Selina STEM Trust founder Loveness Mangezi said: “We founded Selina STEM Trust this year in response to the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on young women and girls in STEM-related fields.
“The organisation, which believes that girls and women deserve to be supported to reach their potential, was founded in honour of my late mother Selina Mangezi, who was an educator, mentor and philanthropist.”
She said the Trust plans to support girls between the ages of 12 and 25.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter