406 NGAAF scholarship-sponsored beneficiaries to sit for KCSE

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Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge has reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that young people from economically disadvantaged families in Nandi County access quality education, as 406 scholarship beneficiaries prepare to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations this year.

The students, who come from poor and vulnerable backgrounds, have benefited from full scholarships provided through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), an initiative that has enabled them to remain in school without the financial burden that often forces learners from struggling families to drop out.

Speaking on Friday during a prayer service held at Namgoi Junior School, Muge said education remains one of the most effective tools for transforming the lives of young people and lifting families out of poverty.

She said her commitment to supporting education was driven by the desire to ensure that no child in Nandi is denied an opportunity to pursue secondary education simply because their parents or guardians cannot afford school fees.

Muge said the scholarship programme was particularly important because it targeted learners whose families faced serious financial challenges, giving them an opportunity to pursue their studies on an equal footing with children from financially stable households.

“Every child deserves an opportunity to go to school and realize their potential, regardless of the economic circumstances of their family. We must continue investing in our young people because they are the future of Nandi,” she said.

The Woman Representative urged the beneficiaries to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their studies, reminding them that the scholarship was an investment in their future.

She encouraged the students to make good use of the opportunity by working hard and maintaining high standards of discipline as they prepare for their national examinations.

Parents and guardians were also urged to continue providing the learners with the necessary support and creating a conducive environment for them to study.

Muge said education should not be viewed merely as a means of securing employment but as an important foundation for empowering individuals to participate meaningfully in the social and economic development of their communities.

She further emphasized the need for leaders, communities and other stakeholders to work together in addressing barriers that prevent children from disadvantaged households from accessing education.

The scholarship programme has offered relief to families that would otherwise have struggled to keep their children in secondary school, particularly at a time when the cost of education continues to put pressure on household incomes.

Education stakeholders in the county have welcomed initiatives that keep vulnerable learners in school, saying financial assistance can significantly reduce cases of school dropout and improve transition from primary to secondary education.

The beneficiaries are now expected to join thousands of other candidates across the country in sitting the KCSE examinations later this year.

She said the scholarship represents more than financial assistance. It has given them an opportunity to remain in school, complete their secondary education and pursue further training or careers of their choice.

Muge stated that she would continue championing education programmes aimed at giving disadvantaged young people a chance to compete for opportunities and contribute to the development of Nandi County.

She called on the students to remain focused on their goals, saying their academic success would not only transform their individual lives but also bring hope to their families and communities.

Another 43 of the beneficiaries will be sitting for the KCSE next year, bringing the total number receiving full scholarships to 449.

By Sammy Mwibanda

Reporting originally appeared via Kenya News Agency. Read the full source for additional context.