Thika Constituency Offers Financial Relief and Free Meals to Day School Students.
The Imarisha Elimu programme, recently introduced in Thika Constituency, has gained significant traction. Under this initiative, students in day secondary schools pay Sh2,500 per term and receive free lunch, leading to improved retention rates.
While assessing the programme’s progress at Jamhuri Secondary School, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a observed a notable rise in student enrollment. She noted that learners are no longer being sent home due to unpaid fees, a development contributing to the initiative’s success this term.
The MP emphasized that keeping students in school is crucial for enhancing national exam performance. She pointed out that last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results in her constituency were disappointing, with many students scoring E Grade.
She attributed this poor performance to frequent absenteeism caused by financial struggles preventing parents from paying school fees on time.
“So far, so good. We are witnessing some remarkable progress where most learners are in school. We no longer have students on the streets going home to collect school fees.
“We hope this student retention programme will boost our academic performance in national exams, which was not encouraging last year,” Ms. Ng’ang’a stated.
Ng’ang’a reported that the programme has already shown positive results, as students remain in school rather than wandering the streets seeking fee payments. She expressed optimism that sustained retention efforts will ultimately improve academic outcomes.
Parents Welcome the Initiative
Parents have embraced the programme, viewing it as transformative. Since its inception last month, they have noticed a consistent school attendance pattern among their children.
Kennedy Ngugi, a parent at Jamhuri Secondary School, highlighted that frequent fee-related school absences had previously led to increased dropout rates. He stated that the initiative eliminates barriers to education by ensuring students no longer miss classes due to a lack of fees or meals.
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Echoing his sentiments, Hellen Kanini, a parent with two children at the school, praised the programme for alleviating financial burdens on struggling families.
She affirmed their commitment to supporting the initiative, stressing that the feeding programme plays a vital role in maintaining students’ concentration and energy levels, ultimately fostering better learning outcomes.
Thika Constituency Offers Financial Relief and Free Meals to Day School Students
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