Kigumo MP Wangari Mwaniki has supported Education CS Prof. George Magoha’s recent directive on the management of school buses.
Wangari said there is need to instill discipline in management of the buses to ensure the vehicles are only used for the intended purpose, thus protecting learners from contracting covid-19.
On Tuesday, Magoha announced a ban on hiring school buses for private events as a way of protecting learners from contracting Covid-19. He directed that anybody who wants to use a school bus needs to get express authority from officers of the ministry of education.
She noted that Mogaha’s directive did not entirely bar members of the community from hiring the buses, adding that the CS only wanted the relevant officers in the ministry of education to be notified first so as to ensure proper guidelines are followed when one hires the vehicles.
The MP said adhering to this directive would ensure the buses carry the right number of passengers at all times, thereby preventing accidents and misuse of school vehicles.
“The community is not barred from using school buses but what the government wants is just to inform the officers from the ministry of education when the bus is being hired. This will instill discipline while using the vehicles.
Here in Kigumo the National Government Constituency Development Fund has since 2017 helped five schools to acquire buses. We will also help other institutions to acquire means of transport before the end of next year,” she added.
The legislator was speaking at the Makuyu social hall Saturday, when she distributed Sh. 35 million bursaries to needy students from her constituency.
His sentiments sparked mixed reactions as sections of parents and teachers claimed most of the school buses were purchased by parents and members of the community.
However, Wangari said discipline is needed when handling school buses, but members of the community should not be denied a chance to hire the buses provided proper guidelines are followed.
Meanwhile, all the needy students who applied for bursaries in the constituency were considered, with more than 10, 000 learners including those from secondary schools and universities earmarked to share the Sh35 million.
Those in universities were awarded Sh10, 000 while the amount allocated to those in secondary schools ranged from Sh3, 000 to Sh10, 000.
“From next week, the local NG-CDF will issue Sh5 million bursaries to those awaiting to join Form One as well as learners with special needs,” she added.
The MP called upon the government to release capitation funds to schools saying the 100 percent transition from primary to high schools has occasioned high population in some institutions, thus the need to expand the existing infrastructure.
By Bernard Munyao
