Mandera unveils scholarship plan for 30 students joining Turkish universities

Mandera governor Mohamed Adan Khalif (left) hands over a cheque during the launch of the County Bursary Fund on January 16, 2023, at Rhamo town. [Ibrahim Adan, Standard]

The county government of Mandera has unveiled a scholarship programme that will see 30 students from the area study at Turkish universities.

The Sh30 million plan, according to education CEC Bashir Ibrahim Alio, will finance a chunk of the students' needs (80 per cent) during the duration of their study in Turkey.

Area governor Mohamed Kalif said his administration will specifically sponsor students who will pursue medical and engineering courses under the arrangement.

The governor said the partial scholarship, with the students expected to travel before the end of this year, will cater for tuition fees while parents will be expected to pay for visas and air tickets for their children who qualify for the sponsorship.

Alio said they will be targeting those who scored B (plain) and above in their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams for the programme.

"We will consider learners from all clans in Mandera for the scholarship, with priority being given to those who scored B (plain) and above," he said.

The programme dubbed Elimu kwa Wote, is meant to assist the students who will in return offer free services to residents of Mandera, for the first two years, upon completion of their studies, said Alio.

Eleven girls, under the Mandera County government scholarship programme, are expected to complete their studies in Turkey at the end of this year, the minister said, adding; "They will then be expected to return home soon and offer free services for the first two years."

Stakeholders have lauded the programme and called for more support for the efforts by the county government to enhance access to quality university education.

Mr Mohamed Sheikh, the executive director of a local NGO, Action for Sustainable Change, has hailed the initiative but urged the county administration to make sure it fully involves parents and education partners.