St. Alfred Alara School in Rachuonyo West Sub-County has received a major financial boost after bursaries amounting to Sh672,000 were channelled to clear part of the institution’s outstanding fee burden.
The bursary support was presented by Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi during a visit to the school on Thursday, as part of efforts to follow up on the institution’s progress and mentorship programme.
The funds, provided by State Department for Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, will see Sh172,000 settle outstanding fees for day scholars, while Sh500,000 will go towards reducing the fee arrears owed by boarders.
Addressing the students, Mwiwawi urged them to make the most of the opportunity presented by education, saying it could transform their lives and open doors to a better future.
“You should appreciate the rare opportunity you have to transform your lives through education. Make good use of it and remain focused on your studies,” Mwiwawi told the students.
The Form Four class, in response, pledged to work hard and attain a mean grade of C (plain) and above in the forthcoming Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
The commissioner also disclosed that his office had donated food items worth Sh180,000, which would be converted into school fees for 43 vulnerable students.
In addition, the office donated five bags of rice and five bags of beans, which will also be converted into fees to support needy learners.
During the engagement, students presented a list of priority needs, including the construction of a modern laboratory, a modern library and a security fence around the school.
Mwiwawi said proposals for a modern library and laboratory had already been forwarded to PS Omollo and that his office was awaiting a positive response.
The meeting, attended by parents, teachers, students, the Board of Management chairperson and members, the area MCA, PTA representatives and National Government Administrative Officers, also discussed government development programmes in the area.
Among the projects highlighted were road construction, water provision and last-mile electricity connectivity.
Parents expressed support for the government, citing ongoing development projects in the area and the role played by PS Omollo in pushing development initiatives.
Mwiwawi also urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise ahead of the next General Election, stressing that voter numbers would give communities greater leverage in demanding development.
“The more people register as voters, the stronger your bargaining power will be when you sit at the negotiating table,” he said.
The visit concluded peacefully, with no incidents reported.
