The County Government of Murang’a is targeting to support more of needy students with its revamped Inua Masomo Programme.
The programme which includes issuance of bursaries is aimed at ensuring access to quality education for bright but financially disadvantaged learners.
In a scholarship scheme which was initiated by previous county regime, only 22 needy students per ward benefited anually, leaving thousands of others without support for their studies.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s administration has indicated it will now support an average of 1,900 students per ward annually.
To expand its reach, the County Government announced that each ward will receive 1,000 bursaries for boarding students alongside support for 900 students from 10-day secondary schools in each ward.
“By recasting the programme to target day schools, competition among students will be spurred and transition rates to day secondary schools improved. Further, infrastructure in day schools will be enhanced,” said the County Government through a press release.
In addition to the programme’s educational and economic benefit, the Inua Masomo Programme will complement other education funding programmes.
Parents and guardians, including those of students with disabilities, have been encouraged to apply through the provided website to ensure that as many as possible needy students in the county access the support they need to succeed academically.
“Parents of children with disabilities should apply for the bursaries by filling out the application form at wardbursaries.muranga.go.ke before January 6, 2025,” read part of the release.
The county’s department of education announced that bursary issuance will begin on January 15, at Ngatho Secondary School in Ithanga Sub County in the morning and proceed to Rwegetha Secondary School in Gatanga Sub County in the afternoon.
The issuance will continue the following day in Kandara Sub County at Mukerenju Secondary School in the morning and Kigumo Sub County at Muthithi Secondary School in the afternoon.
On January 17, the issuance will take place at Sabasaba Secondary School in Maragua Sub County in the morning and at Vidhu Ramji Secondary School in Kiharu Sub County in the afternoon.
The program will move to Mugoiri Day Secondary School the next day in the morning and Muguru Day Secondary School in Kahuro Sub County in the afternoon.
The final day, January 19, will see bursary issuance take place at Kiria-ini Secondary School in Mathioya Sub County in the afternoon.
By Bernard Munyao and Anjilwa Francis
