Mandera benefit From Sh350M bursary fund

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif during an interview in Nairobi on March 9th, 2023. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Some 61 public secondary schools in Mandera have benefitted from Sh350 million bursary fund.

Of these, Sh9,150,000 has already been disbursed to cater for the last two academic terms

This was part of the fund that was launched on January 16, 2023, to cushion parents whose livelihoods were ravaged by prolonged drought in the area

According to the County Executive Committee member for Education, Bashir Ibrahim Alio, said the department also gives subsidised fees to some students studying in Turkish universities and Mandera Technical Training Institute

"Apart from 23,404 secondary school students, we have also cleared fees for 11 girls studying in Uskudar University in Turkiye," said Alio.

As the girls complete their studies early next year, the county education department is expected to undertake a similar scholarship programme for another 30 students in different universities in Turkiye.

Alio applauded increased enrollment at Mandera Technical Training institute as the number of students moved up to 815 within two terms.

"I want to reiterate that Mandera Technical Training Institute as one of the flagship project of the governor has been supported by the same fund which has seen improvement in the enrolment of students from 239 to 815 students," said Alio

Another Sh460 million bursary fund will be launched next month to benefit the county students in secondary, tertiary, colleges and Universities.

Alio directed the county bursary board to release all the funds for the continuing students in term three.

Mandera parents feel relieved as their children in secondary schools study for free because the county government stood up to cater for their fee for the next four years.