At least 7,719 secondary school students from Samburu West constituency will benefit from a Sh45.4 million bursary kitty from the local National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Speaking today during the cheque distribution to headteachers of various schools, area MP Naisula Lesuuda said that due to the ongoing drought that has hit the county, all Form One students who enrolled in day schools would get Sh2,500 for bursary since parents were not able to raise the full fees.
“The aim of this first phase of the NG-CDF bursary distribution is to ensure that every student reports to school and the continuing students especially in boarding schools are retained,” she said.
Lesuuda urged headteachers not to chase away needy students for lack of school fees but instead sit down with the parents and come up with a paying formula.
“We are aware that headteachers are having a hard time in running schools without money and a paying formula between the parents and the school will help keep students in school rather than chase them away,” she said.
The MP added that the second phase of the NG-CDF is going to target 1,811 certificate, Diploma and Degree students at a tune of Sh11.9 million.
“Certificate and diploma students will receive Sh5,000 each while degree students will receive Sh8,000 each. A further Sh2.6 million will go towards paying NHIF for 433 needy families,” she said.
Speaking at the same function, Samburu County Director of Education David Koech said that Samburu County is at 98 percent in Junior secondary school (JSS) enrollment adding that text books have already been supplied to schools that have JSS classes.
“There are a few schools that do not have science and technical classes for the Junior secondary school students but plans are underway to put up these critical infrastructures,” he said.
By Winlight Harrison
