The students absenteeism has marred the Trans Nzoia Elimu bursary cheques distribution drive which has entered its fourth day, as the education officials sound the alarm.
Trans Nzoia County Executive Committee Member for Education and Vocational Training, Janerose Nasimiyu Mutama, on Thursday urged parents and school heads to ensure beneficiaries are in class to collect their cheques.
“It’s unfortunate for our teams to come back with cheques because there are no students in school,” Mutama said during stops at Bishop Crawley Baraka Secondary, Amani Secondary, Bonde Secondary, Makutano, and AIC Birbiriet Secondary schools. “The cheques are ready; it’s just a matter of getting them to the intended beneficiaries.”
In some of the schools visited, more than half of the recipients were absent, leaving dozens of cheques undelivered. The bursary, she noted, is intended to keep students from disadvantaged backgrounds in school without interruptions caused by unpaid fees.
“This bursary is meant to ensure equality in education,” Mutama added. “With the support of Governor George Natembeya, we want every student to have an equal opportunity to learn and grow.”
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School heads welcomed the county government’s intervention, saying it comes at a critical time. AIC Birbiriet Secondary Principal Reuben Ngetich said the funds will ease pressure on schools struggling to cope with delayed capitation from the national government.
“With delays in national government capitation, we’ve struggled to maintain students in school, especially without a lunch program,” Ngetich said. “These bursary cheques will help us sustain operations for a few weeks.”
Chief Officer Kennedy Etiang and Education Directors Pius Munialo and Eliud Lusweti oversaw additional cheque deliveries to Kaplamai and Motosiet schools.
The distribution exercise moves next to Endebess Ward in Endebess Sub County, Kapomboi in Kwanza Sub County, and Tuwani Ward in Saboti Sub County.
County officials are banking on stronger student turnout in the coming days to ensure the bursaries reach their intended beneficiaries.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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