- Since its inception a decade ago, more than 600 students benefitted from the program that considers only those from disadvantaged families.
- The Northern Kenya fund board chair Chachu Ganya called on parents and guardians to educate their children as a way of ensuring they have a bright future.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
Beneficiaries of the Northern Kenya fund program in Marsabit County have been urged to maintain discipline and hard work since they are the program's ambassadors.
Speaking during the three-day annual mentorship program held at Kalacha, CEO of Northern Kenya Fund Shanu Bashuna warned that Northern Kenya Fund will stop sponsoring any students who engage in indiscipline.
"You are our ambassadors. We expect you to maintain discipline, hard work, and stellar performance. If you engage in peer pressure and engage in acts of indiscipline, we will have no option but to cease sponsoring you," said CEO Bashuna.
She said since its inception a decade ago, more than 600 students benefitted from the program that considers only those from disadvantaged families.
"I urge you to work hard and stay focused as Northern Kenya fund is committed to making a difference in your lives despite the hardships you have faced.
She challenged them to tap into the knowledge and values that their parents, guardians, and teachers continue to impart to them.
"We are looking at you as our future leaders and it's paramount for you to make good use of your time in school to study hard," she said
The CEO said the education of pastoralist girls has been continuously affected by retrogressive cultures like FGM and early marriages despite efforts by NGOs and the government.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
She urged parents to take care of the girl-child and ensure that their rights are not violated saying many communities still violate the rights of the girl-child by denying them their right to education and looking at them as a source of income.
She challenged parents to take the education of their children seriously to secure a better future and added that the children's future and that of the county depend on producing young people who can contribute positively to the growth of the county.
"I want to urge all parents to be keen on their children's performance in school. The first thing you should ask children when they come back for holidays is their report card. You must know how they performed," she said.
The CEO asked locals not to politicize educational programs and instead support the Northern Kenya fund to ensure no needy students are left behind because of a lack of fees.
She promised that the Northern Kenya fund would continue to support schools with learning materials as well as paying fees on time.
The Northern Kenya fund board chair Chachu Ganya called on parents and guardians to educate their children as a way of ensuring they have a bright future.
He noted that the Northern Kenya fund is committed to supporting education to ensure needy children have access to education without any hindrance regardless of their background.
The board chair while advising parents to support their children in school for them to excel said failure to follow up on their academic performance makes them relax hence producing poor performance.
"Education of a child is a secure investment and all parents need to finance the education of their children," he said
He urged students to work hard in their studies to rev up their ambitions for success and noted that lack of focus and indiscipline contributed to failure in examinations.
"Learning should be purpose-driven and when energized by the zeal, success becomes inevitable," said NKF's board chair.
He challenged students not to let their circumstances dictate their future, urging them to remain focused on their time as students to create a better future in life.
"Remain focused on your dreams and pursue your education with diligence and passion," he said
He appealed to the beneficiaries of the Northern Kenya fund to reciprocate the sponsorship by excelling in their studies while urging parents and guardians to play their role now that the school fees have been taken care of.
He said the beneficiaries of the Northern Kenya fund have been in 247 schools across the country, promising to continue sponsoring more needy students to remain in school.
He thanked the donors for their support.
North-Horr MP Wario Guyo Adhe encouraged parents to invest in the education of their children.
While promising to support needy students through NG-CDF kitty, he asked parents to increase their engagement with their child's education to improve standards in their education.
"Parents need to play a greater role in instilling social skills in their education. Proper skills enable a child to develop cognitive behavior," he said
He urged locals to embrace schools within their locality saying teachers teach them the same syllabus.
NEMA Director General Mamo Boru Mamo called on the parents to join hands with teachers to improve learning in schools.
He said teachers and parents had unique roles to play to ensure a good learning environment
"We all have roles to play. When parents feel like their children are not getting a quality education, let them intervene, if they don't do that, they are not playing their roles," he said
He challenged them to start playing their roles of providing scholastic materials and monitoring schools to ensure that their children are getting the best education.
He commended the Northern Kenya fund for supporting needy students' access to education.
TSC director Ali Hussein said the Teachers Service Commission will continue to advocate for more teachers' employment and improve their terms of service.
Northern Kenya fund beneficiary Habiba Ali thanked the founder of the Northern Kenya fund for giving them an opportunity for children from disadvantaged families to access education.
During the annual program, the beneficiaries were taken through a mentorship program by the Northern Kenya fund and government officials, teachers, and alumni of the Northern Kenya fund.