By Michael Oduor
172 students from Wundanyi Sub-county in Taita Taveta county are expected to join different Universities in the country. The number, is the highest number of students to join universities from the area.
Speaking in Werugha hall in Wundanyi to celebrate this achievement, area Member of Parliament Danson Mwashako said there has been a tremendous increase in the number of students securing direct university entries since he assumed office in 2017.
The number has risen from 53 in 2018 to 84,106 and 172 in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Mwashako noted that the good performance was because of their strategic planning and a number of mentorship programmes for secondary school students they have in place to change the face of Wundanyi Sub County in educational matters.
Some of the interventions they have in place are Boresha Matokeo Initiative, University Direct Initiative, Annual Boresha Matokeo award of Shs 5 million to the most improved school and High Achievers Camp amongst others.
The University Direct Initiative was launched by Mwashako in 2018 to ensure bright form four students remain in school for an uninterrupted learning.
The project, which is supported by the NG-CDF and other stakeholders who have worked closely with the Wundanyi Sub-county CDF, has seen over 800 secondary students get scholarships since its launch.
“In mentoring these students, we are building a pool of future professionals who will compete nationally for employment and business opportunities and change the economic status of their families,’Mwashako said.
Mwashako offered Shs 1.72 million to the 172 students who were to join university.
The MP has also offered partial scholarships to 13 students doing medical courses at Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs) and 7 students doing diploma in engineering courses at technical institutes.
Taita Taveta county Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary general Mr. Lenox Mshila applauded the MP for prioritizing education and offering support to students in his constituency.
He further congratulated the students for performing well and urged them to shun drug and substance abuse so as not to lose track in life and end up miserable.
His Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) counterpart Shadrack Mutungi urged the students to maintain discipline and remain focused to achieve their goals.
