Parents of Grade 10 day school learners in Wundanyi Sub‑County will now pay just KSh1,000 per term, KSh3,000 annually, after area MP Danson Mwashako launched a groundbreaking education support initiative. The programme, announced during the Wundanyi Education Conference, will disburse KSh13 million through the NG‑CDF to ease the burden on families.
Mwashako said each registered student, including those in boarding schools, will receive KSh10,000, drastically reducing costs for households struggling under harsh economic conditions. “Through NG‑CDF, I will pay for every Grade 10 child from this sub‑county KSh10,000 starting today. So, for the Grade 10 day students, for God’s sake, please, don’t send them home,” he urged principals.
The MP emphasized that KSh13,000 is sufficient to educate a day school student for a year, warning that any additional charges would be illegal. He cautioned parents against agreeing to extra levies during school meetings and urged them to promptly pay the KSh1,000 balance. “Anything that will be asked on top of that is illegal,” he said firmly.
The initiative comes at a critical time when families, lacking reliable income sources due to harsh climatic conditions and limited industry, spend up to 80 per cent of their earnings on education. “What I have chosen is to stand with these parents so they can give their children the education they deserve,” Mwashako said, adding that education will be his legacy.
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Grade 10 students joining secondary schools this year are the pioneer Competency‑Based Education (CBE) cohort. Mwashako acknowledged the confusion they endured during curriculum rollout and urged teachers to handle them with care. He appealed for patience, especially in laboratories, noting that most primary schools lack science facilities. “If they mistakenly break the apparatus, please don’t punish them. They have never handled them before,” he said.
He also directed schools not to send Grade 10 day students home for fees, stressing the importance of continuity in learning. Despite challenges, he noted that many learners excelled in primary school exams, with several securing places in national schools.
Infrastructure development has also been prioritized. Mwashako revealed that most schools in the sub‑county have benefited from NG‑CDF projects, with only eight yet to be upgraded. Plans are underway to ensure all schools have proper facilities by next year.
Wundanyi Sub‑County Director of Education Doris Mashaka said over 300 students will join universities directly after the release of KCSE 2025 results. She urged parents to monitor their children’s discipline and progress, stressing that fees support must translate into academic success. Mashaka praised the MP for consistent investment in infrastructure, saying good facilities are vital for quality education.
KESHA Chair and Mwangeka Senior Principal Beatrice Mwashi echoed the sentiments, crediting the MP’s support for improved performance. “This season when students are joining schools is usually one of the toughest, but we are optimistic he will help bridge the gap,” she said.
Assistant County Commissioner Halima Hassan commended Mwashako for supporting both education and local administration projects. “We thank the MP for his unwavering support to students and parents. I urge residents to continue living in peace for the betterment of our sub‑county and our education sector,” she said.
The high‑profile event was attended by NG‑CDF CEO Yusuf Mbuno and Director Gabriel Kago. In a major political announcement, Mwashako declared his intention to contest the Taita Taveta gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, signalling his ambition to expand development initiatives countywide.
By Michael Oduor
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