Governor calls for more allocation to cater for bursaries

Kerugoya, Thursday, May 11, 2023

KNA by Mutai Kipngetich

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has called for increased funding for counties to cater to rising demand for bursaries for the needy students.

Speaking at Baricho area of Ndia constituency during the launch of the distribution of bursaries worth Sh108.2 million to needy students in the county, the governor said due to the high population of needy students, money allocated for bursaries was not adequate to support learning of students.

She said to remedy the situation, there is an urgent need for review of the revenue distribution formula to make population the main parameter in allocation of the national resources.

“The bursaries we are giving out are not enough; I want to join those calling for increased funding for counties, especially for bursaries. We are proposing even if it is a conditional grant, we will be grateful because this will help our children remain in school,” Waiguru said.

The Council of Governors chair regretted that while some other counties were able to fully fund education of needy students by allocating 100 percent bursaries, students in the most populous counties were getting between Sh2000 to Sh3000 based on the number of applicants.

The Kirinyaga County bursary kitty this financial year will benefit 40,565 needy students studying in various secondary schools, universities and tertiary institutions drawn from all the 20 wards across the county including 30,571 secondary school students, 5,103 college students and 4,891 university students.

“The bursary programme ensures that needy students, who are identified through a rigorous vetting process by Ward Bursary Committees, are able to access education regardless of their backgrounds,” she said.

“We remain committed to supporting the education of the children in the county, the improvement of academic performance and ultimately, the lives of the youth in the county,” said Waiguru.

 “So as to enhance service delivery and digital learning at our ECDE centers, we have been undertaking infrastructural development that include construction, renovation and equipping of classrooms as well as distribution of teaching and learning materials,” the Governor added.

 Courtesy; K.N.A