Teso South MP Mary Emase wants parliament to enact laws which will allow Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners to benefit from NGAAF and CDF bursaries so as to caution parents from huge fees being charged by many schools.
Emase, who spoke at Olepito during the vetting exercise for bursary applicants in the constituency, now wants the JSS learners to be incorporated in various government scholarships or declare free post-primary education in line with meeting the 100% transition rate to various stages of the educational hierarchy.
“Now that we are facing off 844 systems, it’s prudent that as a government we consider incorporating JSS learners on bursary schemes so that many learners don’t drop out of school due to fee balances,” noted Emase.
The legislature added, “Besides the government declaring primary education to be free, many schools are charging abnormal fees for tuition and lunch programmes for the JSS learners, a situation which has jeopardised the education in most primary schools.”
Emase noted that she remains committed to ensuring learners from her constituency attain basic education and training skills which are relevant for the current job market.
“CBC supports the attitude of moulding various skills in learners so as to ensure those with different abilities remain relevant in society and have a place on the job market,” she noted.
Emase assured parents in the constituency that bursary funds from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) will be disbursed by next week to ensure learning goes on uninterrupted.
Emase highlighted the significance of the NG-CDF programme, noting that the fund has transformed many lives in society, and its impact can be felt on the ground.
“We are committed to ensuring that no child in Teso South is left behind due to lack of school fees. By next week, the bursary funds will be available, enabling our children to continue with their education uninterrupted,” she said.
The MP also detailed ongoing efforts to upgrade the school infrastructure so as to give learners a conducive learning environment.
“Proper infrastructure in our schools propels education beyond local development. It gives teachers and learners the opportunity to compete favourably with other learners across the country,” she added.
Emase noted that plans are underway in the constituency to emulate Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro’s programme of 1000 per term school fees programme so as to attract more learners in schools within Teso South constituency.
“As a constituency, we would like to borrow a leave from what is being done in Kiharu constituency. This will give an equal opportunity for learners in our constituency,” Emase added.
Residents of Angorom wards in the Teso South constituency, however, applauded the legislature on timely bursary distribution, which will caution parents burdened with school fees.
By Absalom Namwalo and Owen Mutai
