By Brian Malila
Some 132 bright but needy students from vulnerable families in Embu County who had done well in the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) were today flagged off to join various secondary schools after receiving Elimu Scholarship.
The exercise was led by Equity Manager for Embu Branch Teresia Migua and Embu County Commissioner, Dr. Eddysson Nyale.
While addressing the press after flagging off the students who have benefited from the programme in Embu town, Migua said that since the inception three years ago, many students have benefited.
The program is a joint sponsorship by the government of Kenya, Equity Bank and World Bank and it only picks the needy students from public primary schools.
“This program started three years ago and today we gathered here to give out scholarship to 132 students who have benefited with the program to join various secondary schools,” said Migua.
She also urged parents not to give up on their students even though they are not well off, saying that students who excel in their exams can be supported by many programmes in place both from government and private entities.
Nyale stated that the program was part of the government’s effort to effectively ensure there is 100 per cent transition to secondary schools from primary.
“The government has put in place many programs, this being one of them to ensure every student get a chance to acquire education,”said Dr. Nyale.
The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to utilize the opportunity in secondary school to excel in their exams so that they can be game changers in their communities.
He also urged parents who their students have benefited not to relax but put efforts and have an extra coin because the students have other needs which cannot be met by the programme.
The program only caters for school fees, transport to and from school, shopping and learning material.
The county security committee chair warned students who have benefited against engaging in behaviors that could jeopardize their education journey, saying the scholarship can be withdrawn if student engage in unwanted behavior.
Nyale also warned those who were still practicing Female Genital Mutilation that they will face the full force of the law.
Students who managed to secure the scholarship could not hide their joy as they celebrated, saying the scholarship would change their lives.
“I had lost hopes of joining high school despite scoring higher marks in KCPE but I am thankful to the government and Equity Bank for this positive impact in my life,” said one of the student.
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