The International Centre for Policy and Conflict (ICPC) has called for the immediate enactment of the Basic Education Bursaries and Scholarships Bill, 2024, arguing that delays are harming needy learners and allowing political interference to persist in education financing. ICPC says the proposed law would replace a fragmented, opaque system with a unified, transparent framework designed to protect vulnerable students and uphold the constitutional promise of universal basic education.
In a statement, ICPC executive director Ndung’u Wainaina criticised the current bursary regime, saying it has been weaponised for political gain rather than used as a social protection tool.
“They have become political tools for humiliation, indignation and demeaning of parents and students,” Wainaina said, adding that the Bill is intended to restore dignity and fairness to how education support is allocated.
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ICPC proposes for the creation of a Basic Education Scholarships and Bursaries Council and a consolidated national fund to manage all public bursaries and scholarships. Under the proposed law, resources currently disbursed by the Ministry of Education, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG‑CDF), county governments and other public and private sources would be pooled into a single account.
Proponents say consolidation will reduce duplication, curb corruption and ensure assistance reaches the most deserving learners.
A key shift in the Bill is the removal of politicians from the application and award process. Instead of seeking support through MPs or other elected leaders, students or their guardians would apply directly to the new Council. Awards would be determined using clear criteria, including demonstrated financial need, affirmative action considerations, school type, fee levels and any existing support the learner already receives. Successful applicants would be issued a Personal Identification Account Number (PIAN) to track awards and prevent double funding.
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The Bill also proposes merging the numerous bursary and scholarship programmes run by different agencies into a single, coordinated system with stronger oversight. Supporters argue that a centralised database and uniform standards would close loopholes, improve accountability and deliver equitable access to education funding nationwide.
ICPC maintains that by pooling resources and strengthening management, the reforms would maximise the impact of limited public funds and ensure no child is locked out of school due to poverty.
Currently, the issuance of bursaries and scholarships is done by ward representatives (MCAs), women representatives, MPs, governors and the Ministry of Education, often without a centralised database or oversight mechanism.
Critics argue that duplication is common and that, despite coming from different offices, all these funds ultimately draw from the same shrinks the public purse.
By Masaki Enock
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