The Bungoma County Government has unveiled a Sh190 million education fund.
The fund is supposed to help those who sat Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination this year.
While announcing the releasing of the fund, County Executive for Education and Vocational Training Betty Mayeku said at least five students from each of the 45 wards would benefit.
Applicants must have scored at least 350 marks to be considered for the scholarship.
Dr Mayeku said the fund was meant for bright students from needy backgrounds.
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Those living with disabilities, especially from public primary schools, were encouraged to apply.
“Through this fund, we are giving our children from needy backgrounds a chance to further their education," said Dr Mayeku.
"We do not want any child to be left behind because of lack of school fees."
Mayeku emphasised that families that felt their children deserved the scholarships should register with their respective ward administrators' offices.
The fund will also be available for those who joined national schools in January this year and can prove they have financial difficulties.
Fresh vetting
Mayeku rolled out a stringent application process in a move to deter any cases of malpractice in the awarding of the scholarships.
She urged those who had applied in the 2017/2018 programme to reapply so that their status can be reviewed.
“All beneficiaries of the 2017/2018 Scholarship Scheme will be vetted a fresh to find out whether they had indeed qualified genuinely, and whether they are residents of Bungoma," she said.
Continuing students
"We need to know whether they indeed qualified in the first place, whether they are actual residents of Bungoma, whether they were admitted to national or extra county schools and whether they were actually needy,” Mayeku said.
She said any continuing students who would not reapply would not be vetted and would therefore not be awarded a scholarship.
The Ward Bursary Fund will take 40 per cent of the Sh90 million kitty, while vocational training will take 30 per cent.
The Scholarship Fund will take 15 per cent and Pre-Primary Education Grants 12 per cent.
The application process kicks off on December 17, and runs to December 24.
Successful applicants will receive cheques drawn for their respective schools on January 3, next year.
