Over 10,000 bright but needy students from Alego Usonga constituency have received bursaries from the area NGCDF fund worth Ksh43 million.
Speaking during disbursement of the funds on Sunday, area MP Samuel Atandi said that the bursary cheques were sent to schools to support the education of the students, especially orphans and those living with disabilities, in the constituency.
He noted that the disbursement covers the period between January to June this year.
Atandi said that the constituency was committed to ensuring bright but needy students in secondary schools and those in colleges and universities are supported.
He said the kitty had also allocated Ksh5 million for full scholarship to a number of students.
The MP said the full scholarship programme is bearing fruits and giving hope to bright students after the first batch of full scholars posted stellar results in 2022 KCSE exams with 28 students qualifying for direct university entry.
Atandi noted that instructed the NGCDF committee to continue ensuring integrity and transparency in management of the funds.
He indicated that the selection of beneficiaries is conducted right from the villages to ensure that only deserving cases are identified and awarded.
“Normally we invite parents or guardians of the beneficiaries to pick up the cheques from the CDF office and take them to schools. The schools then issue receipts to the parents and we are copied on the same for accountability,” he said.
The MP however noted that his constituency has been unable to meet the bursary demands as the number of those in need keeps increasing.
“I have the largest constituency in Nyanza and Western regions. For instance, every year, out of 100 applications for full scholarships, we can only support 30 students,” he said.
The other challenge, according to the legislator, is that some secondary schools are not utilizing the funds properly.
“Some school management boards have reported abuse of funds by principals in projects that do not support critical education projects.” He said.
By Fredrick Odiero
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