14-year-old girl Judica Kalinga is struggling to fulfill her dream of becoming an accountant after missing out on the Kwale County Elimu ni Sasa scholarship program, which was her only hope for transitioning to Form One.
Despite scoring 403 marks in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, Kalinga cannot attend the national school of her choice due to her family’s financial constraints.
”I am giving up. I worked hard in school to achieve this and go to a national school,” said kalinga, who hails from Ngathini village in Lungalunga, Kwale county.
Kalinga’s single mother, Dorcas Kavata, had hoped the Kwale County Scholarship, worth Sh. 400 million, would provide sponsorship for all students who scored above 350 marks.
However, Kalinga was unsuccessful in securing the scholarship, and no explanation was given for the rejection.
Kavata believes that her voting in Mombasa County may have played a role in her application being rejected, as her ID card states she was born and raised in Kwale County.
“My ID card reads that I was born here in Kwale, my daughter has also schooled here but I voted in Mombasa and I think that is the reason I missed out on the bursary,” she stated.
The fee structure for St Bridgit Kimilili Girls High School, where Kalinga received an admission letter, is KSH 53 552 for the entire year. Kavata’s wages are insufficient to cover the school fees and other requirements, and the deadline for other scholarships has passed.
Kavata’s uncle had been assisting with Kalinga’s primary school education, but he could not cover the high school cost.
Masimbani Primary School’s head teacher, John Kanga, confirmed that Kalinga, one of the top performers in the school, is in need and deserves a chance to continue her education.
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The Vanga Ward Administrator, Salma Boga, could not explain why Kalinga’s application for the county scholarship was rejected, as many people are on the vetting panel.
The Kwale County Director of Communications, Nicky Gitonga, stated that the county is currently prioritizing residents and Kalinga’s student registration is in Mombasa.
Kalinga’s future is uncertain as she stays at home, helping her grandmother with house chores. Her hard work and determination in school have gone to waste, as she has no other option for funding her education.
