By M, KNA
Goodwill stakeholders offering scholarships to needy learners in high schools have been urged to desist from discriminating sponsorship of students pursing studies in little known institutions
Speaking from various senior schools in Kisii and Nyamira counties, the educationists noted that some institutions were losing learners to different schools because the well-wishers declined to support them from least glamorous schools.
Amabuko Senior School Principal in Masaba South Sub County, Kisii County Samuel Mweruti explained how the school lost 12 learners after their sponsors declined to offer them support from the Amabuko School.
“Those who offer scholarships should consider schools like Amabuko which have a boarding section instead of them being admitted and then midway, they are transferred because the sponsor cannot support their learners at Amabuko,” he said.
Mweruti noted the parents had to switch the learners despite Amabuko having adequate facilities for the learners’ preferred pathways.
He appealed to all sponsors including Jomo Kenyatta Foundation and Equity Wings to fly among others to consider sponsoring all learners who qualify for their scholarships from their institutions of placement.
The Sub County Kenya Secondary School Heads Association Chairman Dr. Robinson Matara noted there was no need to move learners because of scholarship or parents’ attitude, saying the new grading system was no longer a key factor in identifying the most successful schools.
Dr. Matara, who is also the Principal of Amasege Senior School, explained that the new system relies purely on the student’s abilities through talents and skills.
St. Kizito Nyansiongo Boys High School Director of Studies in Nyamira County James Matoke said the school was lucky to have quite a number of learners supported through scholarships.
He cited a total of 120 needy learners who were being supported by various sponsors including the county government, National Government Constituencies Development Fund, National Government Affirmative Action Fund, corporates and faith-based organizations.
Matoke added that 26 grade 10 learners were currently receiving support under the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.
In addition, the Director pointed out that the institution has a mentorship program for sponsored learners where they interact with mentors at the start of every term for inspiration and goal setting.
