Today, in the 21st Century, across Africa, 28 million girls between the ages of 6 and 15 are not in school and many will never be in a classroom. Primary education of women is still at a strikingly low rate of 67 %, with only 51 % of all women above the age of 15 being able to read and write (68 % for men).
There is an urgent need to give young girls access to a sustainable education and that is why SIA-Africa is partnering with St Mary’s Old Girls Association (SMOGA) ’92 & ’93 to promote STEM study for students at St Mary’s High School for Girls.
There are some computers in the school but internet access is woefully inadequate and hinders effective teaching and learning. Without sufficient internet connection, the girls fall behind in the knowledge of much needed STEM courses. In the future, the school would benefit from additional computers. Currently, access to internet is paramount for a modernized curriculum. The demand for a fully functioning science lab, for example, will be mitigated if students can do lab work virtually. Without the internet, students are relegated to narrow concepts, remain inadequately stimulated, and graduate ill-prepared to effectively participate in a fiercely competitive global labour market. Our goal is to work with SMOGA ’92 & ’93 to find other partners who will team up with us to create awareness about the needs and find funding to support
