This archive report was first published on 6 July 2021.
On July 6, 2021, Education Chief Administrative Secretary Mumina Bonaya announced that the government would support students from poor backgrounds who sat for the 2020 KCPE exam to transition to secondary school.
Speaking in Nyeri County, Bonaya said the government aimed to ensure a 100% transition of primary to secondary school. She emphasized that fees would not be a barrier for young girls and boys to access secondary school education.
‘Fees problem will not prevent young girls and boys from accessing secondary school education. The government will ensure all children from poor backgrounds get financial assistance,’ she said.
Bonaya visited informal settlements in Nyeri town to find out the situation of students who applied and were shortlisted for the Elimu scholarship. The vetting committee had selected 64 students in Nyeri County to benefit from the scholarship, with a total of 169 applications received within the county.
Bonaya praised the Elimu Scholarship Vetting Committee for doing a good job in ensuring that all students get financial consideration. She explained that the Elimu Scholarship is a government program aimed at assisting bright children from informal settlements.
However, she stressed that the scholarship is not the only support available, and the government has other forms of bursaries that could assist in payment of school fees. She asked parents to seek fees assistance for their children from the government and other well-wishers.
By Maureen Gitubiah and Benjamin Amukangu
