Contributions of NGOS in the Tertiary Education of Girls: A Case Study of CAMFED in the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The study sought to find out the contributions CAMFED provides to girls in tertiary education at University of Cape Coast in the Cape Coast metropolis. To achieve this purpose, a total of forty-one (41) students in the University of Cape Coast as well as some staff from CAMFED were interviewed. The study employed a descriptive research design which enabled the re searcher to identify the various services CAMFED provides to the students and how it supports their academic performance. Also, the study revealed the challenges CAMFED faces in provid ing the requisite resources for students as well as the challenges the students face in acquiring support from CAMFED. Findings from the study indicated that CAMFED provides students with resources such as ac commodation, tuition, stipend, learning materials, and skills training. The skills training is in the form of seminars and congresses for the students. The study revealed that the support and services CAMFED provides to the students influenced their retention and enrolment rates in tertiary institutions as well as improved their academic performance. The study recommends that CAMFED provides students with their semester-based stipend early enough to help the students commence their studies. Students should be motivated to ensure that they are committed to improving their academic performance. Also, to address the funding gap, there is a need for increased financial support from individuals and other organi zations to enable CAMFED to expand the support they provide to female tertiary students.