By Norah Musega
Members of Parliament now want the national government to increase allocation for bursaries to the National Government- Development Fund (NG-CDF) accounts.
The MPs said hard times brought by the pandemic which has also resulted in loss of jobs by several Kenyans had affected many children who still need financial support for education.
Speaking in Migori county, the MP for Awendo Hon. Walter Sirawa noted that after receiving eleven thousand applications for bursaries within his constituency from locals with children in form two and higher levels of education, it is clear that most people are overwhelmed with responsibilities and need support to help educate their children.
Sirawa said the funds being disbursed to the bursary kitty currently are inadequate to meet the demands of students who need scholarships.
“What we are currently receiving for the bursary kitty is not enough to ensure we meet the needs of our needy students. Through education today we’ll be able to secure a brighter future for our children and, therefore, I call on the government to work towards increasing the allocation for scholarships through the NG-CDF to help realize this,” said Sirawa.
Nyatike MP Hon. Tom Odege who also shared the same sentiments with his Awendo constituency counterpart, also urged locals to move swiftly to help students unable to access the means to apply for bursaries.
Odege said they are committed towards ensuring the little that is currently available is geared towards empowering the needy students even as they continue to seek more funds in the next financial year.
“We have bright but needy students who at the same time are total orphans and are not informed on how to access the forms for application. I call upon the society to help us identify such cases for necessary assistance,” stated Odege.
Rangwe NG-CDF chair, Mr Charles Awi also pleaded with MPs to table a motion that will help in ensuring the allocation is increased.
“This year has been different from all the other years as in this financial year we have also been receiving requests and applications even from civil servants, a clear indication that the times have changed and life isn’t easy for most constituents,” said Awi.
He noted that the increase in population and birth rate impacts directly on the education sector and thus this should be put into consideration.
“The population of students in our schools continues to grow and with the pandemic creating high demand fo facilities r social distancing, there is need to build more schools and classrooms and also seek scholarships for students from needy families,” stated Awi..
