Scholastic Materials Restore Hope for ASEP Learners in Magwi

By Roselyn Oboy

Learners enrolled in the Accelerated Secondary Education Programme (ASEP) at Magwi Secondary School have welcomed the distribution of scholastic materials, saying the support has renewed their hope and motivated them to continue their education.

The materials were provided under the Pathways to Empowerment for Youth (P2E) project, a six-year education, skills development and protection initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented in Eastern Equatoria State by Titi Foundation.The project provides a second chance for out-of-school youth, including young mothers and other vulnerable learners, to complete secondary education through a condensed curriculum.

At Magwi Secondary School, one of the ASEP learning centres, beneficiaries received exercise books, pens and other learning materials after attending classes for several weeks without basic scholastic supplies. For many of the learners, the distribution marked an important milestone in their return to school.

ASEP learner Pio Otwari said the programme had restored his hope after he dropped out of school and thought he would never achieve his educational goals.

“In the past, I had lost hope because I had dropped out of school. This programme has given me another opportunity to achieve my goals,” Otwari said.

He said receiving exercise books and other learning materials had motivated learners to take their studies seriously.”Now they have given us what we need to continue learning. It is up to us to work hard and make the donors proud,” he added.

Another learner also expressed gratitude, saying the project had positively changed their lives by giving them access to education and the materials needed for learning.

“We are very happy for your support. This project has changed our lives and brought us better education. We appreciate the books and other materials you have provided because they will help us continue our studies,” the learner said.

Speaking to journalists at Magwi Secondary School during the distribution, Titi Foundation Technical Lead for Education, Alima Kemisa, said learners had demonstrated commitment by attending classes consistently despite starting the programme before scholastic materials were available.

She said the Magwi ASEP centre has enrolled 36 learners, the majority of them female, reflecting increasing demand for accelerated learning opportunities among out-of-school youth.

According to the project team, 27 learners who attended classes on the day of the visit received the scholastic materials, while supplies for those who were absent were left with the lead tutor for collection.

The beneficiaries said the support has strengthened their determination to complete their education and build better futures through the accelerated learning programme.