A total of 110 university students in Migori have benefited from the Sh1.1 million Non-Governmental Education Programme bursary.
Speaking during the bursary awards at Ngege Primary School in Suna East Sub County, Job Tambo Foundation Official George Dima said that the bursary will help to settle part of the beneficiaries’ college fees.
Dima said that the majority of the students joining the college will be able to access HELB loans and scholarships, but it is important for other players in society to join hands and help those from vulnerable and less privileged backgrounds.
The Job Tambo Foundation has also been supporting students in high school in Suna East Sub County through bursaries and scholarships.
“We have been supporting less fortunate students with bursaries and budget upkeep in secondary schools across Suna East Sub County to ensure learners pursue their education dream,” said Dima.
The official also disclosed that besides high school and university, they will be supporting students in technical colleges and Vocational Education Training (TVET) centres from Suna East Sub County every year.
Dima further motivated the beneficiaries to work hard in school in order to repay the faith laid on them by their sponsors.
Migori Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Benson Karani said that the national government had put in place procedures on how to award HELB loans and scholarships.
Karani, however, rebuffed the misinformation peddled on social media against the new funding model for higher education.
He explained that the students have been grouped into four subgroups: vulnerable, extremely needy, needy students, and fairly needy. He further insisted that parents, especially those ranked as vulnerable or extremely needy, should not worry about the school fee burden because the government will award them HELB loans and scholarships.
“We have spoken to the parents and guardians about the four categories in the new university funding model to remove any misinformation that is being spread around on various social media platforms,” explained Karani.
The administrator urged all like-minded NGOs in the county to join hands and help vulnerable and less privileged students access higher education through bursaries and scholarships.
Samantha Maya, a beneficiary of the Job Tambo Foundation, described the event as an eye-opener to needy students, explaining that through the initiative, the needy students would be able to pursue their education.
Maya further called for the able people in society to step in and help the less fortunate, explaining that giving back to the community is key to empowering future generations.
By Elkana Ochuodho and Geoffrey Makokha
