The County Government of Bungoma is committed to clearing all school fee arrears accrued by students under the county scholarship programme.
While addressing the press at Lugulu Girls National School after conducting an education sector stakeholders meeting, Governor Ken Lusaka while accompanied by his Deputy Pastor Jenipher Mbatiany and Education Department County Executive Committee Member CEC David Wamamili, hinted that his government will clear the currently school fees debts, from 2022 to first term of 2023, estimated at Ksh 150 million.
According to Lusaka, he has already set aside Kshs 70 million to offset the arrears by next week, thanking school principals in Bungoma County for their patience and keeping the students in school despite their financial struggles.
“The scholarship issue has been a thorn in our flesh for some time and I want to tell our parents that students in Form Three and Four will not be interfered with on the
programme unless for those who pulled out saying they are capable of paying school fees.
“This will majorly give priority to vulnerable children who are either total orphans or have single parents to stay in school full time,” said Governor Lusaka.
The Governor noted that going forward; teachers and especially school principals will play a pivotal role in vetting of the most needy students into the education support programme.
He reiterated on his goal to continue looking for more partners in the corporate world to mobilize more resources towards the County Scholarship, bursaries, ECDE Centers and Vocational Training Centers VTC’S.
The County Boss said that once funds are sent to the Counties by the National Treasurery, he is going to ensure that all the School Fee arrears are up to date, urging parents who can pay school fees for their children to do so as to cater for more bright but needy students from poor families in Bungoma.
Also while addressing the Lugulu girls students, Deputy Governor Mbatiany urged them to only focus on their studies as education is the only equalizer in life that will open up more opportunities for them in future after form four KCSE Exams .
Benjamin Otsiula, the MCA for Khasoko Ward in Bumula Constituency who doubles up as the Bungoma County Assembly Committee on Education affirmed its continued support to Governor Lusaka’s office to ensure that more funds are projected in the upcoming budget for the financial year 2023-2024 so as to boost more the scholarship and bursaries programme.
On his part the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association KESSHA Chairman Bungoma county chapter Edwin Bikala noted that principals will continue co-operating with the Governor in promoting quality education.
Bikala said that the funds will help principals to clear some debts from their suppliers and provide a cash flow for other school operations .
The Bungoma county KUPPET Union Executive Secretary Mr Augustine Kundu Luketelo and Chairman David Barasa called on Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, to ensure that all public schools get government capitation on time so as to give Principals a humble environment to run schools.
Also present was the Bungoma East Branch KNUT Executive Secretary Aggrey Namisi and his Mt Elgon Counterpart Mr Stephen Chemonges.
By Achola Mathews
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