The Department of Education and Vocational Training in Bomet County has embarked on a rigorous mentorship programme for students under full scholarship.

The programme, which is conducted across all 25 wards in the county, is meant to monitor and evaluate the academic performance of the 1250 students covered by the scholarship.

On Thursday, Education Executive Agnes Ngeno and Chief Officer Dr. John Keter presided over the function at Ng’omwet Primary School in Chesoen Ward, Bomet Central.

Dr. Keter said the mentorship programme was also geared towards encouraging and motivating the students to work hard and maintain the utmost discipline while in school.

He said the County Government sponsors bright students from humble backgrounds who may not have been able to access education like their able counterparts.

He said 10 students were picked from each of the 25 wards after undergoing rigorous social assessment to ascertain which were the neediest and thus worthy of the full scholarship.

Regulations governing the programme have it that cases of poor academic performance and indiscipline of any form, including premature pregnancies and drug abuse, warrant discontinuation from the scholarship.

Last week, the County Government disbursed a total of Sh77 million for the full scholarship students.

The County Government also partially sponsors 14,250 students, whose budget stands at Sh65 million per academic term.

The education officials further presided over a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of Early Childhood and Development Education centre at Tulwob-Ngechir village in the same Ward.

Agnes Ngeno said the proximity of the ECDE centres to the learners ensured access to the vital foundation of education.

Ngeno said the Westgate ECDE centre was set on a parcel of land donated by a family in the area and that the temporary current structure was to be upgraded to a permanent one through funds from the County Government of Bomet.

She lauded Wesley Kirui and Jesca Chebet, who have been volunteering as teachers for the young school, saying the County Government of Bomet was committed to employing 150 new ECDE teachers through the County Public Service Board.

The residents of the area appreciated the County Government for their commitment to transforming ECDE infrastructure and offering scholarships as well as bursaries for needy students.