MP Elachi encourages parents to contribute to school fee payments

By Robert Mutasi 

Member of Parliament for Dagoretti, Beatrice Elachi, has appealed for parents to be more involved in their children's education by helping to cover the remaining costs for children receiving the NG-CDF bursary program.

Speaking on Friday, August 23, 2024, during the NG-CDF bursary distribution to deserving students in Dagoretti North Constituency, MP Elachi acknowledged that although the bursaries have helped many students pay for their schooling, the funds are frequently not enough to cover the entire cost of education. 

"My efforts to ensure fair distribution of these bursaries are not enough," she stated. "I need your help as parents to bridge the gap and ensure that our learners can remain in school."

The National Government Constituency Development Fund, or NG-CDF, is a government program designed to enhance the quality of life for citizens in Kenya's numerous constituencies. 

The fund's bursary component helps students from low-income families afford high-quality education by providing financial support.

Hon. Elachi's call for parental support comes at a time when the cost of education in Kenya continues to rise.

 Many families struggle to afford the fees associated with both public and private schools. 

Parents can guarantee that their children have the chance to finish school and reach their full potential by helping to cover the remaining costs.

Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma, who also serves as the chair of the NG-CDF Committee, has vehemently defended the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) against calls for its elimination.

Sirma emphasized the positive impact the fund has had on improving educational infrastructure in his constituency.

"All of us are gathered here to benefit from this crucial kitty," Sirma declared.

 "You can clearly see the tangible results of the NG-CDF in the upgraded learning infrastructure we now have." Sirma added. 

He pointed to renovated classrooms, libraries, and other facilities as evidence of the fund's effectiveness.

The NG-CDF has been a subject of debate in recent years, with some critics arguing that it is inefficient and prone to corruption.

However, supporters of the fund maintain that it plays a vital role in addressing the development needs of marginalized communities.

Sirma's comments come at a time when there is renewed pressure on the government to reconsider the allocation of resources for education. 

While some support a more centralized strategy, others contend that the NG-CDF gives local communities a useful way to give priority to their own development needs.