Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya has kicked off a bursary disbursement programme across the 20 wards in the county.
The devolved unit has opened the floodgates for bursaries to needy secondary school students and those studying in various public institutions of higher learning.
The county boss and his Deputy Fatuma Achani launched the weeklong programme at Waa/Ngombeni ward where they issued bursary cheques worth Sh. 5 million to 580 students. The two leaders later visited Kubo South ward and issued cheques worth Sh. 3.15 million to 587 students at the Lukore social hall.
Mvurya said investing in education will improve children’s access to school and in the long run improve economic development in the county and country. “No student from a humble background will drop out of school due to financial constraints under my watch,” he declared.
Mvurya termed the bursary initiative under the auspices of ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ as a critical social intervention scheme designed to support students from poor and low-income families. He said the bursaries will ensure students in institutions of higher learning from humble backgrounds get access to education without interruptions due to lack of fees.
The governor said the bursary issuance caravan will visit all the wards spread in the four sub counties of Matuga, Kinango, Msambweni and Lunga Lunga. “Our aim is be the leading county in higher education” he said adding that his administration has been implementing measures to improve the quality of education since 2013 when he became the pioneer governor.
He promised to ensure transparency in the allocation of the bursaries to the deserving students and warned county staff involved in the distribution against engaging in corruption.
Mvurya said he wants to be remembered for transforming the education sector when he leaves office in 2022. “Education is the key to the development and progress of any society,” he said.
By Hussein Abdullahi
