Education
Scholarship Awards and Access to Quality Education
According to UNICEF, about 13.2 million children between the ages of 5-14 years do not attend school in Nigeria, even though primary education is officially free and compulsory in Nigeria. UNICEF records that only 61 percent of 6-11 year-olds regularly attend primary school, and only 35.6 percent of children aged 3-5 years receive early childhood education. In particular, Northern Nigeria accounts for 69 percent of the out of school children in Nigeria. Over 75% of the Nothern States population lives in relative poverty, as reported by the World Bank. Thus, it indicates that economic constraint is a significant factor as to why many families cannot afford the cost of complete quality education.
Each year, we aim to offer academic scholarships to girls and women. JEF scholarships are awarded to talented students from families who otherwise would not be able to afford to send them to school. In collaboration with our partner schools, we allocate academic scholarships based on the results of the child’s entrance exam, with the awards going to those who get the highest marks. This scholarship includes further finance to cover extra costs, such as uniforms and daily transportation.
In addition, JEF specially offers academic scholarships to women pursuing university or polytechnic qualifications. We also facilitate workshops and mentorship sessions aimed at encouraging young women to consider professional career options. Our workshops include training in leadership, public speaking, and decision-making. The goal is to foster a greater understanding that the extra years spent obtaining a degree is far more rewarding than early marriage or menial labour. We also provide access to information and advice about employment opportunities.
