NCCK Sponsored Students Shine In 2013 KCSE
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) is marking yet another milestone after 2 of her 55 sponsored students scored two straight ‘A’s in the recently released 2013 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) results.
Further, there were 16 A-, 13 B+, 6 Bs, 10 B-, 4 C+, 3 Cs and a C-.
The results were a significant improvement compared to 2012 where out of the 36 students who sat for KCSE, 17 scored B+ and above.
The students, who come from needy families, hailed the Council in conjunction with her development partners for helping them realize their dreams. They acknowledged that the programme had given them a new lease of life and promised to redouble their efforts upon joining University.
Speaking when she formerly received the results from Council regions, an elated Grace Muthungu, the NCCK Senior Programmes Officer in charge of Capacity Building for Membership, congratulated the students for their sterling performance despite the challenges they faced during their studies.
“We thank God for posting such results in your exams. You guys have made us proud,” Muthungu remarked.
She hinted that soon the Council will organize a national retreat for the sponsored students to enable them plan for their future. “Under this programme we recruit 150 students countrywide annually. With the help of our development partners, we cater for about 80% of their needs which includes school fees,” said Muthungu. She added that after high school, those who manage to secure chances in public universities are assisted to apply for loans from Higher Education Loans Board to further their studies.
Muthungu appealed to partners to continue supporting the programme to enable the Council roll out an internship programme for the students upon their graduation.
These sentiments were echoed by Muthungu’s counterpart in charge of Monitoring and Evaluation Alice Mutile. She said that the life of those who had already benefitted from the programme had been transformed.
“Most of our beneficiaries are now employed and can help their communities tackle economic stress. Besides they are able to attain their vision and goals as they live an improved lifestyle,” said Mutile.
The sponsorship programme for the bright needy students was instituted by NCCK in 1970s to cater for bright but poor students who could not afford to join high school. Later the Council decided to decentralize the programme to ensure regional representation. Over 500 students have graduated from various universities in the country and joined the job market courtesy of the programme over the last ten years.
