Over 500 needy students from Murang’a county have benefited from bursaries worth over Sh5 million from the office of the local women representative.
The students drawn from vulnerable and underprivileged backgrounds will have their secondary and tertiary institutions education sponsored.
Speaking at Kimorori grounds, Kenol Tuesday, Murang’a County Women representative Betty Maina observed that her office is committed to ensuring that all students from underprivileged backgrounds have an equal chance to education, which is a right for every Kenyan child.
“Today 506 students in colleges, tertiary institutions and secondary schools, including those with disabilities receive a total of Sh 5.2 million to cater for their studies,” she said.
“Education is the key that will help them unlock all the doors of opportunities available to them,” she added.
The women representative further implored on the students to work hard in their studies.
“Do not get into alcohol, drugs and substance abuse as that will derail your intention to transform your life and that of your families,” she implored.
At the same time, Maina called on the Ministry of Education to ensure that the capitation meant for schools gets there on time.
“We have witnessed the government releases a certain percentage for a school term and withholds the rest,
the next term they release a certain amount for that term without clearing the previous terms capitation grant, which ends up being a burden on the school heads who have to run the schools” observed Maina.
One of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Wamuyu applauded the women representative for the initiative noting that her child was able to remain in school despite the harsh economic times
“My child is in Karugia secondary school and has benefited through the bursaries after I was unable to pay her school fees at Kigumo girls high school,” she said
She continued “I am grateful that she will now be able to go on with her studies and realize her dreams”
Wamuyu underscores the need for the government to continue supporting the education as most of the men are wasting away in drinking dens as the women do menial jobs for survival.
“It is the children that suffer, but with such initiatives we have hope that they will be able to pursue their dreams and ambitions,” she said.
On her part, Rose Mwihaki another beneficiary whose child is living with a disability said, “My child has cerebral palsy and had not joined school at the age of 12 because getting the finances to take him to a special school had proved futile.”
But with the bursaries, he has joined a special school, added Mwihaki, while urging parents with special children like her not to shy away from seeking help and enrolling them for learning.
“Most of the children with special needs remain hidden due to societal stigma and I urge the government to ensure they also access education,” she pleaded.
By Florence Kinyua
