The Kwale government has started disbursing Sh100 million bursary to 3,386 continuing students in national schools for the 2023-24 financial year.
The group will benefit from the full government sponsorship under the Elimu Ni Sasa bursary programme.
The initiative was started in 2013 to sponsor needy but bright students to increase literacy levels and improve lives through education.
At the time, Kwale was grappling with high poverty rates, teen pregnancy and early marriage cases, which destroyed the lives of many children.
Recently, the county increased the bursary from Sh400 million to Sh500 million to cater to the needs of the increasing number of beneficiaries.
Speaking while launching the bursary distribution programme, Governor Fatuma Achani said her administration is committed to ensuring many children acquire the desired educational standards.
"The county will continue to reduce the school fees burden on parents so that students are empowered through better education," she said.
Achani said bursary funds for Form 1 students will be released in two weeks. She urged parents to pick up bursary forms at the ward level in the six subcounties.
She said no child will be left behind and the county is working closely with the national government to have all students report back to school smoothly.
The governor said the county is investing in education to have a productive and well-skilled youth so they can help promote development and socioeconomic transformation.
"We want to see the value for this bursary money and you can do that by working hard," she told learners.
Achani challenged the children to excel so they relieve their parents and themselves from poverty and become beacons of hope in their families.
She warned the youth against engaging in drugs, criminal activities and sex before marriage.
The governor also urged parents to take active roles in the upbringing of their children.