PAAF: more than 1,000 girls from Lycée Disanka identified for scholarships in Kasai

More than 1,000 female students from Disanka High School were identified and registered on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Tshikapa, in the province of Kasaï, by the NGO Actions Communautaires pour le Développement Humanitaire Intégral (ACDHI).

 This initiative is part of the Project to Support Girls’ Empowerment (PAAF), funded by the World Bank.

The project aims to provide an inclusive scholarship to female students aged 11 to 24 enrolled in public schools in the province. It also targets young girls in vulnerable situations, including teenage mothers, internally displaced persons, refugees, girls living with disabilities, and indigenous girls. This initiative aims to contribute to a significant reduction in the school dropout rate among girls in the province.

According to Mr. Benjamin Ngande, head of planning and monitoring and evaluation at ACDHI, this initiative represents a major step forward in promoting girls’ education in the Kasaï 1 educational province.

 “Today, in the Kasaï 1 educational province, a new door is opening for girls’ futures. Secondary schools are now open to all girls without exception,” he stated.

Once beneficiaries have been identified, parents or guardians will be registered within one to two days to receive a financial grant via the Vodacash service. This support aims to facilitate girls’ enrollment throughout the school year.

In the same vein, Mr. Ngande emphasized, “Educating a girl means building a community and an entire nation.”

Continuation of the scholarship is contingent upon meeting strict criteria, including regular attendance and achieving at least a 50% annual grade point average.

NGO officials urge parents and guardians to fully fulfill their role by encouraging girls to continue their studies and seize this opportunity.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote equal opportunities and strengthen female human capital, led by Raïssa Malu Dinanga, Minister of State and Minister of National Education and New Citizenship.

Marie Shomba