By Mwanasiti Salim
At least twenty nine students from Msambweni and LungaLunga constituencies have benefitted from the national government Elimu Fund Scholarship program.
The program is sponsored by the national government in collaboration with Equity Bank only targeting students who performed well in their KCPE exam.
The program aims at providing financial assistance to students who are unable to pay for their high school fees and other expenses.
Msambweni MP Feisal Bader who attended emphasized the importance of the program to the area saying that funds allocated to NG-CDF are not enough to cater for all education needs.
“The funds allocated from the Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and bursaries are not enough to cater to the needs of all students. I plead with organizations to step in and help in supporting these students,” he urged.
The MP added that such a program will also help in ensuring that the national government 100 per cent transition of class eight pupils to secondary school is realized.
Equity Bank in Ukunda David Makumi said that the Elimu Scholarship Program will cater to the school fees, uniforms, books, and allowances of the selected students.
“The program is expected to increase the enrollment and retention rates of students in high schools, especially in rural areas where access to quality education is limited,” said Makumi.
He noted that the program is a collaboration of the national government and World Bank formed in 2020 that has been successful by contributing to an increase in the number of students who are able to attend and finish high school.
They made the remarks at the Equity Bank Ukunda branch during the official flagging off of the beneficiary students under the program.
During the event students who have already benefited from the program shared their experiences and appreciated the government and the World Bank for their support.
Msambweni sub-county director of education emphasized the aim of the program saying it is meant to ensure 100% transition of students from primary to secondary school is maintained without any of them dropping out due to lack of fees.
“We want to give every student an equal opportunity to receive a quality education,” he said.
The Elimu Fund Scholarship Program is a step in the right direction towards providing quality education to all students in Kenya, regardless of their financial background.
The government and the World Bank should be commended for their efforts in addressing this pressing issue.
The program is expected to expand in the coming years and reach out to more students in need of financial assistance.
It is likened to the Kwale Elimu ni Sasa sponsorship education program that has seen thousands of students remain in school unlike before.
