As Form One students start reporting to schools across the country, more than 158 bright and needy learners are set to benefit from the Sh16 million Vihiga Governor's Scholarship Programme.
The beneficiaries include the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) top performers in the county.
The scholarship programme attracted 325 applicants, but only 158 were selected to benefit from the kitty.
Two weeks ago, the Department of Education vetted candidates for the sixth cohort program. The beneficiaries are 64 female and 94 male students.
Governor Wilber Ottichilo launched the sixth governor's scholarship yesterday.
Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony at the county headquarters in Mbale, Ottichilo reiterated his administration's commitment to improve education standards in the county.
The governor assured that moving forward, his administration will boost the scholarship kitty to cater for more needy cases in the county.
"In this program, we can help needy students to get enrolled in their school of choice," he said.
The scholarship being issued for the sixth year running came as a relief to the needy learners whose parents could not afford to raise school fees.
The beneficiaries are students who scored over 370 marks, and learners with disabilities who scored over 360 marks.
"Our parents are going through a hard time, and they ought to get help from all quarters, and as a county government, we will chip in where we can," said Ottichilo.
Each beneficiary will receive a fully funded scholarship that will go towards clearing school fees, and the balance will be spent on other costs, including transport, purchase of stationery, textbooks and personal effects.
"As a county, we are committed to helping the needy students achieve their best level of education. We will go an extra mile and give personal effects and transport back to school," he said.
The Governor's Scholarship Program was launched in January 2019 and has so far benefited over 700 students. Apart from the scholarship, learners also benefit from bursary.
The governor has also initiated a mentorship programme for the students while on holiday, which will help them choose career paths in tandem with their academic capabilities.
Ramsey Silingi, could not hide his excitement after being enrolled in the program.
Silingi, a former pupil at Jeptulu Primary School, scored 415 marks and has been admitted to Kapsabet School.
"My future seemed dark even after I performed well, but today I can manage to smile as I will join the school of my choice," he said.
Elsewhere, more than 200 students from Sabatia constituency in Vihiga county have benefited from fees, school uniforms and shoes from the Sisco Mbindi Foundation.
Mr Mbindi challenged well-wishers to come out and help needy students achieve their desire to get a good education.
"We want to see the students through high school and help them during these hard economic times," he said.
Rael Kaviza, whose daughter was employed as a maid before enrolling in the programme and going back to school, praised the sponsorship, saying it help the needy in society to access education.
"School fee is a problem to many of us, and when we get such help, we appreciate and call on others to come in too," said Kaviza.
