Over 100 Students in Kilifi Acquire Sponsorship to Join Umma University
By Ronald Ngoba
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Some 112 students who scored grades C-plus and above on last years Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education from Arabuko Forest Secondary School in Kilifi North Subcounty will receive full sponsorship to join Umma University in Kajiado County.
This scholarship programme offer from Direct Aid International comes as confusion shrouds the new university funding models leaving many a learners in financial limbo.
Speaking during a prize giving ceremony held at the school, the country’s organisation director Ismail Hassan said the funding was expected to provide critical financial relief to bright and needy students from underprivileged backgrounds.
This will enable them to pursue academic studies at university level for personal and professional growth.
According to him the organisation has already pledged to sponsor two students who scored A plain and A- minus to study university of their choice globally.
“I want to congratulate all the key players who worked tirelessly to make sure this school emerged the top in Kilifi County.
For the two students who got A and A- minus our organization will directly sponsor them to study at universities of their choice even if it’s abroad,” he said.
The director said the organisation’s unwavering dedication to education was aligned seamlessly with the Umma University’s mission to provide not only world-class education, but also foster education.
“Direct aid international has been a steadfast supporter of humanitarian and social welfare programmes in Kenya for over 30 years, thousands of students have realized their professional aspiration through the scholarship program.”
Lamu County Assembly Speaker Azhar Mbarak challenged the national government to streamline the university funding model so as to make it easier for the learners to join universities and register for classes.
“It’s very painfully to see on social media platforms bright student from poor families are unable to pursue their university education.
The government must positively respond to this concern because when a young person gets educated, they impact the society,” he said.
He also awarded the school management Sh100,000 in cash and challenged the students to take education seriously.
“Take your studies seriously because its through it that can transform yourselves and the society.”
Arabuko Forest Secondary School principal Alawi Rashid attributed the success to cooperation between teachers, students and parents.
“I want to thank all those who took part to make this journey a success, may God bless you all. The journey was not a walk in the park,” he said.
The Extra-County Islamic Boys Secondary School in Matsangoni Ward managed to beat Ribe Boys and Bahari Girls, which are national schools and academic giants in the county.
The school secured a mean grade of 8.50 (B plain) beating Bahari Girls and Ribe Boys mean score grades of 7.69 (B-) and 6.79 (C+) respectively.
