Kwale County Awards Sh95.6 Million in Bursaries Ahead of School Reopening.
The Kwale County Government has allocated Sh95.6 million in bursaries to support 2,685 bright but needy students attending national secondary schools.
This initiative comes as schools nationwide prepare to reopen on January 6, 2025, for the new academic year after the long holiday break.
Governor Fatuma Achani, who officiated the bursary distribution event, emphasized the county’s dedication to ensuring that no child is left behind in accessing education.
She stated that the funds would alleviate financial barriers for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to concentrate on their studies. The bursary cheques will be directly transferred to schools electronically.
Governor Achani highlighted that the beneficiaries are continuing students under the county’s Sh500 million ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ bursary scheme, which encompasses students from all 20 administrative wards in the county.
Additionally, she revealed that another Sh100 million would be disbursed next week to assist students in county-level schools.
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Historical Impact of the Bursary Program
Since its inception in 2013, the Elimu Ni Sasa programme has targeted bright, needy students joining secondary schools and universities.
The governor noted that 8,842 students from Kwale have been fully sponsored to join national secondary schools since devolution began. Annually, approximately 16,805 secondary school students and 6,000 college and university students benefit from the bursary.
“Since the inception of devolution in 2013 the county has fully sponsored 8,842 students who joined national secondary schools from Kwale,” she said.
Achani emphasized the importance of academic performance for continued support under the bursary scheme.
She warned that students with consistently poor grades risk being excluded from the programme. She expressed confidence that investing in education would address social challenges such as drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, and crime.
Socio-Economic Transformation Through Education
Governor Achani reiterated her administration’s commitment to education, describing it as a vital tool for socio-economic transformation.
She noted that the bursary initiative has positioned Kwale County as a leader in promoting accessible and impactful education.
Achani’s sentiments were echoed by Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza and Kwale Women Representative Fatuma Masito, who urged the community to support the programme.
MP Tandaza called on the beneficiaries to take their academic responsibilities seriously, emphasizing education as a foundation for personal development and future success.
He also encouraged the county government to increase funding for education initiatives.
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Meanwhile, Masito praised the bursary programme for its role in reducing child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and school dropout rates.
She attributed improved school performance to the scheme, which has empowered local students to compete for the county’s full scholarships.
Future Aspirations
The Elimu Ni Sasa programme continues to transform Kwale’s education landscape by providing opportunities for underprivileged students to excel academically and socially.
Masito stressed the importance of quality education in empowering the youth and preparing them for future opportunities, reaffirming the county’s commitment to education as a cornerstone for societal progress.
Kwale County Awards Sh95.6 Million in Bursaries Ahead of School Reopening.
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