Over 44,000 vulnerable learners in West Pokot County have benefited from bursaries worth 600 million shillings courtesy of the county government, the biggest amount awarded by any county government ever.
This was revealed by West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, who spoke on Monday during the launch of the bursary at Chewoyet National School, calling for audit of funds in schools.
“Funds in schools should be audited. We had queries and mismanagement in Chewoyet National School but the head teacher who was here is still walking scotfree. We have realized that capitation fees are not enough to cater for the boarding section and many learners are suffering,” explained Kachapin who is formerly a high school principal.
The county boss said bursary funds are meant to alleviate the financial burden many families bear in educating their children.
“We have increased bursaries for learners in boarding schools to Ksh20,000 from Ksh15,000 last year. Those in colleges will get Ksh10,000 and those in day schools will get Ksh5,000. These funds can be enough if they are managed well the whole year,” the governor said, adding that the funds will ensure learners access quality education.
Kachapin, who hinted at revealing the rot in the Ministry of Education (MoE), said some schools receive a higher share of funds than others.
“Some schools get millions of shillings at the expense of others. Our MPs fear to speak about this in Parliament; instead they are busy politicking,” he said.
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Kachapin pointed out that in the 2022/2023 financial year, they disbursed 435 million shillings which benefited 41,413 students.
He said the county has allocated 20 million shillings for infrastructure development in 40 schools – that is in 22 primary and 18 secondary schools – to create a conducive environment for learners.
“We have plans for developing vocational training institutes and have contracted 14 instructors in 7 VCTs across the county,” he added.
West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdulahi put on notice head teachers over illegal fees and sending learners home to collect fees.
“Learners must remain in school. We want to warn school manager’s subjecting parents to illegal school fees like motivation, remedial, lunch fee and money for reams because the government is catering for fees in day secondary. The government is paying capitation,” said Khalif.
By Evans Kapusia
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