Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Link Education International has announced the strengthening of its partnership with The Boeing Company by extending its Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Induction Programme in Ethiopia.
This programme was successfully delivered in 2021-22 in four secondary schools of Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. The new grant will support the roll out of the induction programme to four additional secondary schools, supporting girls in grades 9 and 10 to remain in school through grades 11 and 12—which are the final years of secondary education in Ethiopia—and to consider STEM as they move in to higher education or the world of work.
The programme will involve 4,500 learners (including 3,500 girls and 1,000 boys), 66 school staff and teachers, and will continue to complement the work that Link has been doing through the FCDO – funded Supporting the Transition of Adolescent Girls Through Enhancing Systems (STAGES) programme which has been ongoing since 2018 and has so far supported 61,345 girls in 144 schools.
Nicolò Di Marzo, Link’s Country Representative in Ethiopia, noted how Boeing’s support will have a crucial impact for girls. “We believe that this project will increase the chances of girls finishing their secondary education and boost girls’ aspirations, confidence and self-esteem, opening possibilities for them to follow their interest in subjects and jobs, and reducing stereotypes which impact on and limit girls’ choices, especially as STEM careers are often referred to as the jobs of the future.”
Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META), said: “At Boeing, we are dedicated to providing quick and efficient support to communities in need. Through our partnership with Link, we have reached thousands of girls across rural Ethiopia, helping them to stay in school and escape the cycle of poverty. By building a more equitable future for women, we build a better future for all.”