Total E&P has resumed its secondary school students’ scholarship programme two years after it was suspended citing the then uncertainty surrounding its operations in Uganda in 2019.
In December 2020, the French oil giant reached an agreement with Uganda protecting its rights and obligations in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) construction and Tilenga development projects.
The scholarships that benefit five students who excel in science subjects at Advanced level in the host districts of Nwoya, Nebbi, Pakwach, Buliisa and Masindi in the Albertine region was introduced in 2013 while Total E&P Uganda’s girls ‘O’ level education scholarship programme was introduced in 2015 for Nwoya and Buliisa districts as an affirmative action targeting girls who excel in Primary Leaving Examinations.
“The scholarship targets girls who excel in Primary Leaving Examinations. At the end of every year, the company makes public announcements and places posters on district and sub-county offices notice boards in the targeted districts calling for applications,” according to Christopher Ocowun, Total E&P’s Public Relations Officer (PRO).
“In the scholarships, the oil company covers school fees, scholastic materials, medical insurance and accommodation at school. We also cater for students and accompanying parents’ transport to and from the school and also facilitate parents’ visitation trips,” he added.
Mr Ocowun said that the girl’s O’ level education scholarship for Nwoya and Buliisa was introduced in 2015 as an affirmative action to promote girls education because they were being out-competed by boys in the A’ level education scholarship.
He told our reporter that application forms were issued to the education offices of the five host districts with the deadline having expired on April 12, 2021.
“Interested persons picked application forms and we hope to select the best beneficiaries after UNEB releases the results,” Mr Ocowun said.
The PRO was happy that the programme has resumed adding that they will adhere to the company’s guidelines.
Eligibility
For any student to benefit from the programme, they must be a born of the host district, having studied from the same district, presenting a Local Council One letter and a recommendation from the former school.
The numbers
At least 140 students have benefited from Total E&P Uganda A ‘level education scholarship with 40 having benefited in the girls ‘O’ level education scholarship programme.
