The Problem: In Ghana, over 60% of Junior High School students are unable to pass the High School entrance exam. That means these kids are unable to receive any further education. Those that do pass often have to drop out of High School prematurely because of their inability to afford their high school fees ($15 USD per trimester). If they do graduate, most students can't possibly afford to continue onto University. We now know that education does not just affect those who receive it; it also ripples out to affect an entire community. Reports from the World Bank, USAID, the UN, and many educational institutions show that education, especially the education of women, is one of the fastest ways to increase family GDP, reduce the infant mortality rate, increase family health spending and assure the education of the next generation of children. In other words, everyone in Ghana benefits when more children stay in school.
Exponential Education has found a way to help all three levels of schoolchildren success and advance their education. We do this by helping the students help each other. We take five High School students and pay them a small weekly stipend so that they can stay enrolled in school. In return, they each tutor five Junior High School students. That means, five High School students are providing free tutoring to twenty five Junior High School students, which leads to more Junior High students passing the High School entrance exam. At the end of ten weeks, the most accomplished High School student tutor receives a scholarship of $300 USD. Thus, we bridge the gap - getting more Junior High Students into High School, helping more High School students stay in school, and helping more talented students attend college.
Today, Exponential Education has worked with over 23 schools throughout the eastern and central region of Ghana, and, to date, the program has now given over 23 college scholarships, serving over 680 children.
Our first guaranteed impact is improving students' level of basic education. We provide junior high students' with free tutoring that builds better math and English foundations in order to help them pass their junior high exit exam.The second guaranteed impact: We ensure that more high school students are able to stay in school. After a child passes the exit exam, and continues to high school, the obstacles do not disappear. School fees often cause high school students to dropout prematurely. In exchange for their tutoring, Exponential Education provides high school students stipends that can be used to pay for their school fees.The third guarantee is helping high school students continue their education for a chance at a brighter future. We offer 1 out of 5 students a scholarship worth in total up to $300 USD, an amount equivalent to almost a full year of University tuition and can be used for furthering their academic career.
he last and perhaps most important impact Exponential Education are the immeasurable ripples of change, empowerment and growth within a community. These gains include high school students developing leadership skills, gaining teaching experience, and becoming empowered to change their community. Junior high students are able to connect to a relatable community mentor. They develop critical problem solving skills and start to believe they can change their own path and the direction of their community. The community itself will be able to produce more junior high and high school graduates, and with a focus on women, eventually communities will benefit from lower death rates, higher literacy rates, higher health spending per family, and a higher general quality of life in the long run.
Comments