Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba has cautioned parents against enrolling Grade Nine students in village polytechnics, warning that the move undermines the Ministry of Education’s policy of 100 per cent transition into Grade 10 in senior secondary schools.
Speaking during the issuance of NG-CDF bursaries to needy learners in his constituency, Milemba stressed that all Grade Nine students must first proceed to senior secondary schools before advancing to higher learning institutions such as polytechnics, colleges, and universities. He argued that joining polytechnics prematurely would derail students’ career progression.
“It will be good if a student joins a higher learning institution while armed with a Grade Twelve certificate,” Milemba said, urging parents nationwide to allow their children to complete the senior school cycle.
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The MP assured parents that no Grade 10 student in Emuhaya would be sent home for lack of school fees, noting that NG-CDF had committed to fully or partially sponsor needy learners. “I am appealing to our Principals not to chase students from school because of fees, especially the Grade 10 freshers. NG-CDF is ready to pay for our bright but needy students,” he said.
Milemba emphasised that education is a long-term investment and a powerful tool to fight poverty. Quoting the late South African President Nelson Mandela, he said: “Education is a great weapon to fight poverty. We must fight poverty by educating our children.”
During the event, Milemba presented a KSh58 million NG-CDF cheque to principals of senior secondary schools in Emuhaya to support bright students from poor families. The principals, led by Perus Ambole of St. Peter’s Itumbu Secondary School and Joel Omutsani of Esibila Secondary School, welcomed the bursary support, noting that it would ease financial pressure on institutions.
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Omutsani revealed that Esibila Secondary had admitted 320 Grade 10 students this year, the highest intake since the school’s establishment, most of whom came from disadvantaged backgrounds. The principals praised the bursary initiative as timely, saying it would help sustain learning and reduce dropouts.
By Masaki Enock
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