- The programme was unveiled after the school established that 415 students were struggling to pay fees, with the institution also unable to meet some of their basic needs
- Under the initiative, learners in Grade 10 will be identified and enrolled to benefit throughout their time in senior school
St. Ignatius Mukumu Boys High School has launched a fundraising programme to support students in Grades 10 to 12 facing financial challenges, after Shinyalu Member of Parliament Fred Ikana presented a cheque for Sh1.32 million to back the initiative.
The programme was unveiled after the school found that 415 students were struggling to pay fees, and that the institution was also unable to meet some of their basic needs. Under the initiative, learners in Grade 10 will be identified and enrolled to benefit throughout their time in senior school, to provide them with a more conducive learning environment.
The launch coincided with a prayer day held for the school’s Form Four candidates ahead of their national examinations, an event graced by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka as Chief Guest.
School Principal Sylvester Ashioya said the institution has registered 508 KCSE candidates who are determined to excel, with the school targeting a mean score of 8.9. “Ours is to pray for them; we believe will make it, we are seeing hope in them,” Ashioya said.
The principal lauded MP Ikana for his continued support to the school, noting that it had received a bursary allocation of Sh1.3 million from the lawmaker this year alone, even as more students remain in need of assistance.
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Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, who also attended the event, announced that the school had received a county bursary allocation of Sh1.5 Million in the last financial year to support needy students. Ashioya urged the governor to make more frequent visits to Mukumu Boys, noting that the school is in dire need of infrastructure development, particularly an ICT laboratory.
In his remarks, MP Ikana urged the KCSE candidates to make full use of the school’s library and laboratory as they revise for their examinations, while pushing them to work toward the target mean of 8.9. He further encouraged the students to maintain discipline, deepen their revision, engage in research and consult their teachers frequently as they prepare for the national exams.
Ikana also pledged to purchase a Mercedes Benz bus for Mukumu Boys to support the school’s academic trips and co-curricular activities. “As I have supported students of Lugala Secondary School, St. Monica Lubao and Solyo Secondary School with a new school bus, I will also support students of Mukumu Boys,” he said.
The MP, who has been driving infrastructure development across Shinyalu Constituency, further pledged to construct a storey tuition block at the school to benefit both students and teachers, similar to projects he has undertaken in other day schools within the constituency.
By Hilda Atika
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