Quite contrary to our popular perception;scholarship
is not an entirely free aid or award to study, at least to the donor. Some one
or some foundation must have paid for it and that is why is is often said that nothing
is free, not even in Freetown. Scholarships are awarded based on various criteria,
which generally reflect the values and purposes of the donor or foundation. My brilliance
and posh background did not qualify me for any while I was growing up, so I
never had cause to begrudge those that merited it without consideration to
economic or ethnicity need. It was a common study benefits then, and a catalyst
for healthy rivalry in school. It however thinned out with the exit of the
colonial masters and their benevolence culture. Only to be replaced with our
homegrown scholarship inclusive of all manner of clauses and conditions, making
it not only exceedingly difficult to access, but also with dangerous conditions
to live with.
The major benefactors of scholarship and
free education back then were the orthodox churches, some overseas foundations
and bodies we hardly ever knew. The essence of their philanthropy was basically
altruistic and their motive was whiter than snow. The giants of industries and today's success
stories were one time or the other a direct product of this laudable schemes.
There were no self made successful individuals, as we all know that we can only
rise by lifting others.
One of the welcoming shocks in America is
the avalanche of scholarships and aid programs available for study. The educational
system is designed in a way that there will be no excuse for illiteracy. If,
like me, you are brilliant, from a well to do family and too proud for a
scholarship, you can always take advantage of interest free school loans that
can be mortgaged until you start earning decent pay. The scholarship conditions
are clear as the sky while the process is not as degrading and demeaning as the
one back home. Noteworthy to say that all study benefits are mainly paid for by
individuals, groups, churches and foundation. And as a beneficiary,you are not supposed
to pay back.
Our government is at a complete loss at what
to do about our educational sector. Education is not free, bursary is now history
taught in classes, the quality in our education has been replaced by quantity as
university licences are sold to the highest bidding churches. With less than
30% of our national budget allocated to education, we can primordialy predict
the priority of our government.
The
relationship between the churches and people back home is exploitative
by nature. Like the government, churches have diversified into profitable ventures
like estate, schools, banking and farming from the contribution of members.
This in itself is a viable idea capable of subsidizing members physical needs
and ultimately lifting their spirit.
Sadly, only very few members of those churches
can afford to put their wards in schools built by the members' contribution.
Similarly, fulfilling the conditions for scholarship is as easy as the camel
passing through the proverbial eye of a needle. Since criticism of this sector
of our economy is not allowed, we can only hope that the truth found in
education will set the people free one day.
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