Nairobi: The poor performance of girls in national primary school examinations has locked them out of a scholarship scheme in Gem Constituency, Siaya County, that prioritises top performers. Officials of the Geno Youth Society, which runs the full scholarship programme with support from the US-based Open World Leadership Society, revealed that no girl has ever benefited, as boys continue to dominate the top slots.
According to Kenya News Agency, the society's programme director Jethro Oduor Moi, speaking during a stakeholders' forum at Yala Township Primary School grounds, said the scheme has a strict criterion that awards the top three students, regardless of gender or family background. 'Our donors strictly go for the top three students from our area of operation, no matter the gender. The challenge is that girls have not been appearing in the top three or six positions, hence missing out,' said Moi, urging girls to work harder to earn slots.
Society chairman Japheth Agina mentioned that the organisation is engaging teachers and education stakeholders to find the best way of identifying future beneficiaries, especially now that the education system is phasing out ranking. 'Education professionals are in a better position to advise us going forward on the best way to pick the beneficiaries,' said Agina.
Assistant County Commissioner for Malanga Division, Yvonne Odek, lauded the initiative, pledging continued government support for education access. She noted that many children in the area still face challenges in pursuing quality education. 'It is a good initiative, and as the national government, we are supporting it so that our children access education and progress in life,' she said.
Beneficiaries Rael Achieng, a diploma graduate in Electrical and Electronics, and Caroli Odhiambo praised the organisation, urging for its expansion to reach more learners. Achieng further encouraged girls to take up technical courses, stressing that passion and determination matter more than stereotypes.