- That was the third cohort to benefit from the governor’s kitty, which joins 450 others under the program.
- He noted that the selection exercise was very transparent but rigorous to ensure that the most qualified and those in dire need of the support have benefited.
- Form one students are reporting to their learning institutions countrywide, and the admission exercise is expected to run through the week.
Nyamira governor Amos Nyaribo, on Monday, January 15, 2024, flagged off a KSh14 million sponsorship to over 250 learners joining form one from various wards across the county.
According to Nyaribo, the fund, started in 2021, targets very needy and vulnerable children whose parents or guardians cannot sponsor their education at the secondary level.
That was the third cohort to benefit from the governor’s kitty, which joins 450 others under the program.
“I am happy to be here today to issue scholarships to candidates who performed well in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations and are set to join secondary school.
This is the third phase of Nyamira County Scholarship Program, which aims to assist bright but needy students to pursue their education and dream careers,” said Nyaribo.
The selection
He noted that the selection exercise was very transparent but rigorous to ensure that the most qualified and those in dire need of the support have benefited.
He said that vetting started from ward levels through the ward scholarship committees who forwarded the lists to the county education fund committee for approval.
The final lists were later sent back to the ward administrators for public scrutiny.
“I want to assure you that these children here are qualified to benefit from this kitty and we wish them all the best in their next level of education,” added Nyaribo.
At least ten deserving students benefitted from each of the 20 wards in the county and will enjoy a full 4-year sponsorship, which includes 4-year school fees, uniforms, and a box.
Fulfilling promises
“This program is in line with my development agenda to improve the level of education in Nyamira County. My government will invest more in education for dependable future generations,” reiterated Nyaribo.
At the same time, the governor hinted at a plan to roll out bursaries to needy students in secondary schools whereby the county, going forward, will pay bursaries for students in forms one and two as the NG-CDF handles those in forms three and four.
He also outlined his commitment to improving infrastructural development in schools, vocational training centers and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centers.
Applauded
The Nyamira County Education Support Fund Board chairperson, Mr. Alfred Kenya, said the kitty came in handy to ensure that the needy and bright students also easily access education.
He applauded the governor for putting the interests of the less privileged in the society forward.
“I congratulate the governor for coming up with this idea to ensure that children of the less privileged in society also access education like any other. This will leave a permanent mark on his leadership and also on the children.
This is impressive and urges the governor to increase the number of the beneficiaries in the years to come so that many are brought on board,” said Mr. Kenya.
The county assembly education committee chairperson and Manga ward MCA Samuel Ogeto urged the beneficiaries to put more effort in their studies to be dependable in the coming days.
Cost of parenting
He called on the parents and guardians to ensure that they assess their children’s progress to ensure that their value for the public money was used to educate them.
“I believe that we parents are the ones to ensure that our children progress well in their studies, monitor them to ensure that we have good people to hand over to in the future.
If you are not checking on your children’s school performance, then you have no business being a parent,” said Ogeto.
The former principal urged teachers not to retain certificates of learners from very poor backgrounds but instead devise a way to have a mutual agreement between the school and students to have their certificates and pay back, no matter the time after securing employment.
“I was a principal for 25 years before retiring to politics; I never retained certificates of my students because they were unable to clear their fees; I could call them, sign an agreement with them between the schools, and clear their fees when they got a job.
There is no point in withholding the certificates of poor learners because by doing so, we are not breaking the chain of poverty in that family, release them so that they will be able to secure a job and help their families,” added Ogeto.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for education, Ms. Emily Ongaga, applauded the governor for the program, which she noted is worth celebrating.
She said it would equalize all the learners and clearly indicated that the governor was very concerned about the youth and the future generation.
Termed best program
“This is the best program and inheritance that can be given to children to face the future boldly.
I congratulate our governor for always championing the rights of the less fortunate in society by giving them a level ground to face tomorrow.
This a rare opportunity, and I urge the beneficiaries to ensure they utilize it to make their future promising”, said Emily.
Bivon Onyancha was among the first cohort to benefit from the program when it was first initiated in 2021.
The form three student at Nyambaria School thanked the governor for ensuring that he joined his dream school and promised to work hard to support other vulnerable children in the future.
“Had it not been for this program started by the governor, I may not have gotten a chance to study at my dream school to chase my dream.
I thank him for the opportunity and promise to work hard so that I will also return the favor to other deserving children when the time comes.
I urge those who have been selected to benefit from this program to ensure they, too, seize the opportunity and work hard; this is a chance to prove that, indeed, you deserve,” said Onyancha.
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Form one students are reporting to their learning institutions countrywide, and the admission exercise is expected to run through the week.
