By Yuval Israel, year 9
Due to the current war between Russia and Ukraine, many schools around the world are offering scholarships to refugees from Ukraine to allow them to have a chance at continuing their education outside of their home country. Ecolint has already had a scholarship programme for the past three years and, even though the policy is not a reaction to the war in Ukraine, Ecolint will be accepting Ukrainian refugees into this program.
To learn more about the scholarship programme itself, the Express interviewed LGB’s campus and secondary school principal Conrad Hughes and the coordinator of the Ecolint Scholarship Programme, Alexandra Conchard.
Does the program accept students of all age groups?
Dr. Hughes: Our Ecolint scholarships tend to be for older students (the last 4 years of secondary school). If we are putting the students first, then it’s important to think of the goal of schooling in the earliest years, especially for a refugee in a host country. Learning French and socializing with the immediate community will be important for young children.
Ms. Conchard: Officially, the scholarship programme welcomes students in High School, starting either in years 10, 11 or 12 on any of our campuses, either in a French or English programme.
How do the scholarships tend to work?
Dr Hughes: This is the third year we have been running a scholarship programme, including for refugees.
Ms. Conchard: We have been running this programme for already three years. It is important to note that anyone in (great) need can apply to the scholarship, and therefore it is not exclusively for refugees but for people who might have experienced hardship and a tough background. However it is expected that a large number of applicants will be refugees.
How many children will be arriving in the next school year on a scholarship?
Dr. Hughes: We have had five students move through the last years of high school on full bursaries. The idea would be to invite a similar number from the beginning of next year.
Ms. Conchard: The revised Scholarship Programme will start in September 2022 and it will cater for 4/5 students in the first year. It is expected that all students would stay with us until they graduate – so up to 4 years for each student.
Are students granted school supplies, after school activities and school lunches?
Dr Hughes: Yes, everything will be provided, such as transport, school material and everything necessary.
Ms. Conchard: The scholarship covers all the needs of a student during their time at school. This includes school fees, lunches, travel, school material including a computer, and extracurricular activity. There are other additional funds which could be granted on a case by case basis.
In conclusion, the scholarship is open to young people with significant need and will provide every material necessary to learn at the school. As stated by the school, the programme is designed to “free the potential and enrich the community”.
Featured image from Ecolint’s website
