Close to 1, 000 needy students in Murang’a County were on Monday issued with bursaries to assist them join secondary schools, which they had been admitted to.
The county government disbursed bursaries amounting to Sh20 million to bright and needy 2018 KCPE candidates to facilitate their transition to secondary school.
The beneficiaries were selected by committees led by local MCAs with assistance from school committees to ensure transparency and fairness.
Speaking when issuing cheques to the students, Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria said his administration will support the beneficiaries until they complete secondary education.
The beneficiaries, Mwangi said, were needy students who could not afford to join national and extra county schools they were enrolled.
“The county government set Sh.20 million to intervene and ensure children from poor backgrounds did not miss their chances in schools they had been selected to join. Some of the beneficiaries could not raise needed amount to join national schools,” he noted.
The governor castigated leaders who are questioning the move by the county government to sponsor students.
“Education is very important and as county investing in education is ensuring better future for our children. As county government, we have to intervene and improve education standard of our people,” observed Mwangi.
He underscored the need of supporting education telling off leaders who are against the bursary programme.
The governor reiterated that day secondary schools are free and thus parents should not be forced to pay lunch fee.
“County officers backed up by local MCAs will move out to ensure all 2018 KCPE candidates join secondary school as we target 100 percent transition in the county,” added Mwangi.
The governor encouraged the students to work hard in their studies so that they can in future benefit from the bursary programme and eradicate poverty in their homes.
In every ward, 25 needy students were selected to benefit from the programme as the governor reiterated that the bursaries are only for those admitted in boarding schools.
Local MCAs present lashed out Maragua MP Mary Waithera for opposing move by county government to give bursaries to needy students.
The MCAs led by the Assembly majority leader Erick Kamande told the MP to keep off operations of the county government and focus on development of her constituency.
In the recent past, the MP has been criticizing the governor for giving bursaries saying the amount was meager, with no surety for sustainability of the programme.
“We will continue supporting education in this county despite criticisms from those who are against development,” stated Kamande.
Majority of the beneficiaries were awarded Sh20, 000 bursaries and boxes as they prepare to join various secondary schools in the course of the week.
By Bernard Munyao
Needy students get bursaries to join Form One
