By Norah Musega
Parents have called on elected Members of Parliament to pass a bill in parliament that ensures dispersion of funds to constituencies for the development of the education sector.
Led by the National Parents Association Chairman Nicholas Maiyo, the parents expressed fear over the increase in school dropouts due changes in funding to Constituency Development Funds (CDF) following a court order which declared CDF unconstitutional.
He noted that the CDF kitty has contributed 80% towards the development and stabilization of the education sector through bursaries, scholarships and infrastructure in schools across the nation.
“Children need the support they have been getting through CDF to ensure they stay in school. There are orphaned children who only depend on scholarships and bursaries to study,” Maiyo said.
He stressed that they have hopes that the elected leaders will represent their interests.
National Parents Association Migori branch chair Peter Odondi noted that the CDF is the only hope parents with little income and learners from poor background or orphans have to save them from the agony of lack of school fees.
He added that educating a community needs adequate support from all education stakeholders.
Migori County Director of Education Jacob Onyiego appreciated the efforts of MPs to ensure a reduction of school dropouts through CDFs.
He thanked the MPs for working closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure the education sector is upgraded to what it is currently.
“I appreciate the efforts of the elected leaders in improving infrastructure and issuing scholarships to help in the implementation of the 100 per cent transition policy,” he said.
He called on the leaders to come up with an amicable solution to ensure the dreams of learners are kept alive.
The MPs called for patience saying the NG-CDF will be available to do its functions as before.
Uriri MP Hon. Mark Nyamita noted that the current NG-CDF has been operational under CDF Act 2015 and that all functions and projects will still be available hence there is no need to panic.
Nyatike MP Tom Odege noted that most projects which have impacted development in the country have been as a result of the NG-CDF.
Suna West MP Peter Masara noted that as elected leaders, they will remain focused on serving the interests of the people they represent at the national assembly.
NG-CDF board has echoed the MPs’ sentiments and refuted claims against the nullification of NG-CDF.
The board CEO Yusuf Mbuna noted that the NG-CDF still operates under the 2015 Act and that the Supreme Court only ruled that the 2013 NGCDF Act was unconstitutional.
He noted that the funds for this financial year have even been increased from Ksh 41.7 billion to Ksh 44 billion and that the 290 constituencies in the country won’t be receiving equal share as had been the norm(Ksh 135 m) but that the amount will be based on the number of wards per constituency.
