Junior and Primary Schools to Get Bursaries
Parents with children in primary and junior secondary schools will be able to apply for bursaries through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) if Parliament adopts a motion proposed by Gatanga MP Edward Muriu on behalf of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The motion expresses concern that formerly, the fund mainly benefited senior and higher school students, leaving out primary and newly founded junior secondary school children.
The ruling party claims that this exclusion violates Article 53 (1) (b) of the constitution, which states that every kid has the right to a good education. The legislator adds that the presumption that primary and junior secondary education are completely free is incorrect, because the government’s per-pupil capitation is insufficient to fund the essential resources required for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This places a financial strain on students whose parents cannot afford these charges.
In accordance with the motion, Parliament intends to pass legislation requiring each NG-CDF Board in each constituency to approve increased allocations for the education bursary plan. This additional funds would go toward activities linked to the CBC and school nutrition programs.
During House deliberations, it was underlined that education is a tremendous equalizer, bridging the socioeconomic divide between youngsters. Bursaries for basic education institutions will ensure that every kid may exercise their right to a quality education, allowing them to take advantage of future prospects.
There is also a call to increase the per-student capitation for primary schools from Ksh1,420 to at least Ksh7,760 as the minimum ideal allocation. According to the proposal, education bursary schemes should be expanded to assist students in elementary and junior secondary schools in meeting the standards of the Competency-Based Curriculum.
