Relief as 496 students get scholarships for secondary education
Education
By
James Omoro
| Jan 14, 2024
More than 490 bright and needy students in Homa Bay County can breathe a sigh of relief after getting full scholarship for secondary education.
The learners who sat KCPE exams last year received full scholarships from the Homa Bay County and the national government.
The students who are joining Form One include 240 who have benefited from scholarships from Fins to Swim, run by Homa Bay County government.
Another 256 students have also benefited from Elimu Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Scholarship run by the national government.
The students were released to join Form One during separate functions in Homa Bay town.
Governor Gladys Wanga accompanied by her Deputy Oyugi Magwanga, led the county officials in releasing the 240 students to join secondary school.
Six students were picked from each of the 40 wards in the county. The beneficiaries are needy learners who scored a minimum of 350 marks and above in KCPE.
Wanga said the scholarship covers fees and all personal items students need in school.
The governor revealed that she started the scholarship to enable Homa Bay to have productive people in future.
"We are giving this scholarship to make Homa Bay more competitive in human resources. We are providing the students, with full school fees and all the shopping they need throughout their academic tenure," she said.
Magwanga urged the students to maintain high standards of discipline to succeed in their academic endeavours.
"This scholarship symbolizes gold in your hands. If you value it, it will transform your lives positively, but if you drop it, you will fail in life," he told the students.
At Homa Bay High School, County Director of Education Eunice Khaemba and Rachuonyo South Deputy County Commissioner George Chege were at hand to see off 256 students who were awarded the Elimu Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Scholarship.
Khaemba told the students to work hard, warning that those who performed dismally would be dropped from the programme.
"We will track your performance, but those who perform poorly will be removed from the programme. Work hard to maintain this scholarship," she said.
Chege urged parents not to abdicate their roles of supporting the education of their children.
"Let parents not be complacent that their children have acquired full scholarships. They should also play their roles effectively to ensure their children are disciplined," he said.