Bright but financially disadvantaged students in Nyandarua county will now be able to access Sh147.5 million from the bursary fund to complete their studies.
Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia said beneficiaries were identified for the first time through public engagement when disbursing monies in Ol Kalou town.
“Members of society who knew each other’s needs authorized allocations. No more boardroom deals will be tolerated as has happened in the past,” he said.
A total of 35,349 students in secondary schools, tertiary colleges, youth polytechnics, and special boarding primary schools are expected to benefit from the funding.
A total of $588.15 million has been distributed to 115,578 students during the last four years. Sh121 million was disbursed in the previous fiscal year.
The disbursement follows increased efforts in schools across the county to facilitate access, retention, and completion rates.
A milk feeding program for 23,000 students in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres is already in place, with youngsters being given priority in transporting milk to schools on motorcycles.
While calling for more guidance and counselling in schools, Kimemia added that child labour and frequent absenteeism are two concerns that continue to jeopardize schoolchildren’s futures.
Students laud fair disbursement of bursaries
The Ol Kalou constituency has continued to receive a large number of applications for bursaries, with area MP David Kiaraho vowing to continue advocating for educational equality.
Kiaraho said the National Government Constituency Development Fund, or NG-CDF, has improved educational standards, resulting in a large number of beneficiaries in tertiary institutions and boarding schools, unlike in the past.
Kiaraho, who was handing out bursary cheques to nearly 4,500 children from the Karau and Kaimbaga wards, underlined the importance of education.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude, indicating that the cash was distributed on schedule and in a fair manner.
“I thank the NG-CDF for issuing the bursaries to us as this will ensure that no bright student will miss classes due to lack of school fees. The funds are of great benefit to me as they will ease the burden of school fees on my parents,” said Jack Njoroge, a student at Nyandarua National Polytechnic.
Stephen Njiraini, a Mirangine ward resident, lauded the NG-CDF committee for ensuring that all potential learners from low-income families were enrolled in school through the distribution of bursaries.
While urging learners to work hard in their studies, the Committee’s chair, Samuel Nyaga, also counselled them to avoid substance abuse and urged parents to guarantee that their children attended school.
