Kilifi North constituency has recorded a significant increase in the number of students joining university through government-sponsored programmes.
MP Owen Baya on Monday said this shows the constituency recorded better KCSE results than it did in the previous years. He attributed the increase to concerted efforts by different players to boost education standards. His office has received more than 150 forms from students admitted to universities this year.
Last year, less than 100 students were enrolled under government intake.
Baya praised the choice of courses by the students, saying most of them were market-driven.
"I have today signed forms of over 10 law students, 12 medical students, and some are going for engineering, medical laboratory technology and education... The quality of degrees they are going to pursue is very important," he said.
The lawmaker said only two students were joining through self-sponsorship. He said his office will pay for all the students who sought fee assistance.
"I have Sh2 million from the 2014-2015 financial year that my predecessor did not utilise. I approached the NG-CDF board and I was given the money. I will channel that money to make sure all these students join university," Baya said.
"Self-sponsored programmes are very expensive and many students have failed to complete their courses in time due to financial constraints."
The office of the MP is also in talks with the Higher Education Loans Board for a partnership that will ensure students from the constituency benefit fully from loans.
"The Kilifi poverty index is very high, and that has hindered many students from pursuing higher education. We are negotiating with Helb so we can see more students acquire higher education," Baya said.
(Edited by F'Orieny)
