132 pupils across Embu County who sat the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) have benefited from the Government-run Elimu Scholarship Programme funded by the World Bank and Equity Bank.
It was a joyful moment for the learners who made the cut to further their secondary education through the scholarship that will take care of their entire school fees, learning materials, transport as well as pocket money.
“Looking at my parent’s economic status, I had lost hope of ever joining secondary school and I spent most of my time crying and pitying myself,” said an elated Sheila Njeri who has joined Kangaru Girls High School.
Njeri who scored 369 marks in KCPE at Iveche Primary Schools said her dream of becoming a pilot in future had been restored courtesy of the scholarship.
Another beneficiary, Fridah Wanjira who scored 364 marks at Kiambere Primary School and has joined Nguviu Girls was thankful to heavens for the golden opportunity she was granted to further her education.
“My parents could not manage to take care of my secondary education and we had almost run out of options until we applied for the scholarship and luckily enough got enlisted,” the learner said.
County Commissioner Eddyson Nyale, speaking when commissioning the learners on Tuesday at Embu Talent Academy, said the 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary education in the county was on course with no case reported of failed transition.
He however said Chiefs, their Assistants as well as Nyumba Kumi clusters members had been directed to ensure enforcement of the 100 per cent transition and warned that they will be held accountable if any children in their areas of jurisdiction fail to report.
The CC also warned parents against circumcising young girls saying it was an outlawed and harmful culture that will not be tolerated and those found practicing it will be dealt with firmly within the law.
He said the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) that was slowly making a comeback in the area was on course and enough anti FGM champions were on the ground to help eradicate of the vice.
Equity Bank Embu Branch Manager Teresiah Migwa called on parents of children who did not qualify to explore the “many other opportunities of funding” available
By Samuel Waititu
