A bright boy from Sinoko village in Webuye East sub county is a happy lad after getting the chance to join Musingu High School, before the Form One admission deadline at the end of business on Friday. Evans Juma Wafula, who scored 388 marks in the 2018 KCPE exams, was staring at disappointment as he was almost left out due to a lack of school fees. Speaking at their home in Sinoko, Juma said he had expected to be among the beneficiaries of Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wanagamati’s scholarship programme but he didn’t make it, and he feared his dream of becoming a lawyer had been shattered. He refused to join Sinoko Secondary School, insisting on Musingu, even though it was closer to home and his parents could find ways to raise the required fees there.
A few contributions later, from the Ndivisi location chief Mr. Jamin Ndala among other people, availed money for school shopping, and they also decided to seek help from the Webuye East CDF office and they were given a commitment of Kshs 30,000 to be paid after three weeks to the school, but the school declined and he, together with his parents, were sent back. However, they contacted the Bungoma County Director of Special Programs Mrs Caro Buyela who, together with another colleague, catered for a large chunk of the cash required. While speaking to the family, she said she was astonished at the state of the family, and how Evans Juma wasn’t captured in the Governor’s scholarship programme.
She lauded her appointment in the office as it has enabled her to be in a position to offer help but urged leaders from Webuye East to make sure they support the boy’s education path and many others who may be facing similar challenges. Last week on 11th January, the government announced that the deadline for Form One admission had been extended to give students an opportunity, “Leadership of school principals and parents have made requests for extension of reporting dates to enable admission of learners,” said Education PS Belio Kipsang.
