CS Launches Scholarship For Learners With Disabilities
In an effort to enhance disability inclusion in the country, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has launched INUKA, an education sponsorship program run by the KPC Foundation that serves children with disabilities from around the country.
The INUKA program is set to provide secondary school sponsorships to bright and needy students with disabilities from all 47 counties, recruiting two students per county annually.
The support extended to beneficiaries includes tuition fees, uniforms, assistive learning devices, and mentorship to ease their integration into the productive workforce.
To date, the program has benefited over 745 scholars at a cumulative cost of over Sh120 million.
During the opening event at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Hon. Ogamba reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting inclusive and equitable education, commending the KPC Foundation for taking the initiative to empower children with disabilities.
"According to the 2018 National Survey on Children with Disabilities and Special Needs in Education, roughly 11.4% of Kenyan children ages three to twenty-one have disabilities. This translates to around 2.49 million children. These students encounter a number of problems, including poor infrastructure and insufficient teacher training. "These barriers have contributed to low enrollment and high dropout rates," stated the CS.
"Despite the hurdles, the government remains committed to ensuring that no kid falls behind. Initiatives like INUKA are critical for bridging these gaps and demonstrating the power of collective action," he said.
The Education CS also said that the ministry will begin reviewing all learning institutions in the country to ensure compliance with criteria for learners with impairments.
Mrs. Faith Bett Boinett, Chairperson of the KPC Board of Directors, emphasized the critical need to support students with disabilities, who frequently suffer in a resource-constrained educational environment.
"In our school sector, thousands of pupils must share scarce resources." The situation is even more dire for students with disabilities, who require additional support to thrive," she stated. "It is against this backdrop that the KPC Foundation has chosen to contribute to the national empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through the INUKA Program."
Mr. Joe Sang, KPC Managing Director, reaffirmed the Foundation's long-standing commitment to establishing an inclusive society in which every kid has access to quality education regardless of physical, sensory, or socioeconomic restrictions.
SOURCE: KPC Website
Tags: Education Ministry Julius Ogamba Kpc NCPWD
