Nuru Salim
More than 200 students from needy families in Kwale County have been awarded scholarships as part of an initiative to promote education and alleviate financial burdens on parents.
The distribution, which took place at Nyumba Sita County Hall in Ramisi Ward, Msambweni, also marked the start of the second batch of scholarships expected to be disbursed before Christmas Eve.
The bursaries are part of a larger effort by the Kwale County government led by Governor Fatuma Achani with the aim to increase access to education.
Over the years, significant funds have been allocated to scholarships and bursaries, with Ksh.200 million already spent in Ramisi Ward alone.
The efforts aim to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have equal opportunities to pursue their studies.
Msambweni sub-county administrator Mwanakombo Kilalo, underscored the importance of the scholarships in transforming lives.
She highlighted the increase in education funding from Ksh.400 million to Ksh.500 million, allowing each ward to receive Ksh.25 million annually for educational support.
Maliki Mwangema, the Ramisi Ward Administrator emphasized the critical role of the scholarships in fostering better academic outcomes and leadership in the community.
However, he expressed concern over poor performance among beneficiaries, which risks undermining the effectiveness of the program.
Mwangema called on parents to actively support and monitor their children’s academic progress, stressing that the success of the bursaries depends on a collective effort from parents, students, and teachers.
“More than Ksh.200 million has been spent on scholarships and bursaries in Ramisi ward, but the low performance of students remains a significant issue,” said Mwangema.
He urged parents to ensure the money invested in their children’s education translates into improved grades and a brighter future for the ward.
Village Administrator Benjamin Kinyamasyo echoed this sentiment, urging parents to take full responsibility for their children’s discipline and academic performance.
He reminded families that while scholarships alleviate financial constraints, the onus remains on parents to guide and support their children to make the most of these opportunities.
During the event, parents and students were informed of several students who had already benefited from full scholarships in the first batch issued earlier in the year.
The second allocation, set to be disbursed before Christmas Eve, is intended to extend support to more students, ensuring they can continue their education uninterrupted.
The long holiday season poses significant risks to students in Ramisi Ward, with issues such as drug abuse and early pregnancies becoming prevalent.
The challenges threaten to disrupt students’ academic progress and jeopardize their eligibility for scholarships, which require consistent performance.
To mitigate these risks, parents were encouraged to keep their children engaged in productive activities, ensuring they remain focused on their education and future goals.
The bursary and scholarship program has consistently been a priority for Kwale County, reflecting the governor’s commitment to education as a pillar of development.
The leaders at the event stressed that education is a shared responsibility, calling on all stakeholders to work together to maximize the impact of these investments.
As parents filled out scholarship forms for the upcoming allocation, the mood was one of gratitude and hope.
These scholarships and bursaries represent not just financial support but a pathway to brighter futures for the children of Kwale County.
