Kakamega County has set up a kitty that supports both vulnerable and bright students from the county pursuing various courses and trainings.
According to County Executive Member in charge of Education, Science and Technology Dr. George Akolo Lutomia, the County has set up an allocation of Sh20 million to support students from humble backgrounds in the county joining university.
He said another Sh25 million scholarship award has been established to cater for those who qualify for university admission and attain a mean grade of A and A-(Minus) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Speaking at Bishop Sulumeti Girls School in Kakamega town during an education stakeholder’s forum, Dr. Lutomia said Sh8 million is spent annually to support those enrolling for medical courses in various institutions across from the county.
“We are collaborating with the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to ensure that no student benefits from both schemes at the same time,” he added.
He said those joining Polytechnics and Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) are given a yearly capitation of Sh15,000.
Dr. Lutomia however raised concern that despite the county having 67 polytechnics and TVET institutions, enrollment has remained low, with only about 10,000 seeking admission.
“I wish to make a call to students and parents to take this available opportunity and enlist in any course of their choice, since tuition fee is paid for by both county and national governments,” he added.
He said the county has constructed 313 new Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres which has seen enrollment rise from 30,000 pupils to current 127,750.
“Recruitment of ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms has also boosted morale of the teachers,” he added.
The CEC said the county government has also established a Sh120 million ward bursary kitty to cater for students in secondary schools.
“Each of the 60 wards has been allocated Sh20 million for the same,” he added.
By George Kaiga
