Needy learners with disabilities benefit from scholarship    

The government through the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) disbursed over Sh800,000 in the last financial year through the school fees scholarship programme for special needs learners in secondary schools and special primary schools in Kericho County.

          About 38 students enrolled in the programme drawn from over thirty secondary and special primary schools in the area benefitted from the assistance.

          In an interview with KNA, the Kericho County Disability Officer Hopkins Olasi said the scholarship targets needy and vulnerable learners with disabilities and whose parents are not able to cater for the education needs of their disabled children.

         “School fees scholarship monies amounting to Sh839,045 was disbursed to thirty boarding secondary schools and special primary schools in Kericho to assist learners with disabilities in the last financial year.

            Notable on the list of secondary schools that have children with disabilities enrolled for their studies benefitted from the scholarship include Kipsigis Girls High school, Londiani Boys High School, Kericho Tea Boys High school, Sosiot Girls High school among others and special schools like St. Paul Charera Special school, Kedowa special school for the deaf and St. Kizito school for the deaf,” said Mr Olasi.

        Mr Olasi revealed that the special learners pursuing their secondary school education received cheques as per their yearly school fees structures of their respective schools.

         He revealed that learners are confirmed to the scholarship programme following a vetting process.

         “We have a county vetting committee (CVC) that identifies and selects needy students requiring our intervention. Every county has a target and the target may vary from year to year,” said Mr Olasi.

        The county disability boss further advised parents with disabled children to register with the NCPWD office in order for them to access the school fees scholarships through the national disability card.  

       “We advise all our clients to register with us. However, that does not mean they will get automatic support. They have to tell us the services they need.  Families with children with disabilities ought to expose them to learning environments to equip them with skills for them to be self-reliant and productive members in society,” said Mr Olasi.