100 bright, needy Taita Taveta students receive scholarships

The Taita Taveta government has given full scholarships to students who scored 300 marks and above in the 2018 KCPE exams.

Governor Granton Samboja said on Wednesday the County Education Fund Board Act was reviewed to cater for brilliant students from humble backgrounds.

Initially, the kitty catered for students from public schools who scored 400 marks and above.

"Study hard to ensure you don't lose this opportunity. We won't spend taxpayers money on students who do not perform well in school. I beseech you to place emphasis on studies," Samboja told the students.

He spoke in his office in Wundanyi during the official launch of the 2019 scholarship programme. 

Out of the 100 beneficiaries, 23 students are joining national schools, 60 extra county schools, 16 are reporting to county schools and one a sub-county school. Forty-one girls are part of the group.

Education and Libraries county executive Daniel Makoko said the students will school fees, uniform and books.

Deputy governor Majala Mlagui called on Form Four leavers to join vocational training centres. 

"We want to incorporate more disciplines like gemstones value addition courses to assisting our youth to earn a living out of our valuable minerals," she said.

Wundanyi subcounty Education Director Ochieng Owango asked the county to join hands with the department to improve performance in schools.

Leaders accused the Teachers Service Commission of sidelining Taita Taveta when recruiting new teachers.