Education
Several Alumni groups sponsoring students to complete their education are feeling the heat of the unaffordable cost of education which they said has affected transition rates.
They have argued that they are getting overwhelmed by the huge number of students in need of financial assistance to enable them to transit and continue with their education.
Led by Dominic Muasya, one of the directors and co-founder of Kenya Education Fund (KEF), a scholarship organization that partners with the alumni to fund students’ education, they said comprehensive support systems are needed to rope in many disadvantaged learners to ensure they benefit from sponsorships.
Speaking while opening their new offices in Thika Town on Friday, they said they are working strongly with well-wishers and financiers to educate more students.
Muasya said the new offices will boost linkages, sponsorship opportunities as well as make their services accessible to the students. Currently, he said, KEF supports 560 high school students and 60 university students.
“The cost of education in this country is almost unaffordable. This cannot be left in the hands of the suffering parents. While we appreciate the role of the government and other partners in easing the burden, more should be done to make education free,” said Muasya.
His sentiments were echoed by the KEF USA board chairperson Alisan Schlanger who said the new headquarters will serve as the central hub for KEF’s operations, enhancing coordination and outreach efforts. “There is a need to strengthen alumni groups and make them support disadvantaged students. These groups should also link up with associations, NGOs and other foundations to boost their kitty so that many students can be brought on board,” said Schlanger.
For the past 19 years since its inception, KEF has awarded over 4,000 scholarships and maintained a 98 per cent transition rate from high school to university, significantly above the national average.
To date, KEF boasts over 4,500 alumni. The program has grown to include not only secondary school scholarships but also life skills workshops, a post-high school Career Readiness Entrepreneurship Workshop (CREW), a one-year bridge scholarship to university, college, or TVETs, and teacher workshops.