Over 3000 students in Baringo County are set to benefit from constituency development funds (NG-CDF) bursary to the tune of Sh43.7 million for the financial year 2020/2021.
Baringo Central Member of Parliament Joshua Kandie while issuing the cheques to beneficiaries at the NG-CDF offices in Kabarnet town, stated that the funds would go a long way in keeping students in school and help them achieve their goals.
The MP encouraged the students to work hard in their studies in order for them to have a bright future and also avoid alcohol and drug abuse that would ruin their chances of achieving their dreams.
Kandie slammed the move by the national government to merge examination centers with less than 40 candidates, terming it as a challenge for the children who will be forced to walk long distances to sit for exams in other schools.
“Schools in Baringo are scattered and the students forced to register in other schools will have to walk for long distances to sit for their test papers,” said Kandie.
Chairman CDF Baringo Central Augustine Kenei noted that the constituency was leading in the education sector in the county and encouraged the students to continue working hard in their studies to retain that position.
Kenei said that the CDF had set aside Sh240 million in a span of four years to ensure that schools do not have incomplete structures, thus enabling students to learn in a conducive environment.
He further noted that a good reading environment would also help students have a good attitude to education.
Baringo central Chairman of School principals, Mr. Isaac Kibogong called upon the government to be mindful of children when enforcing laws pertaining to their education, quoting the issue of merging of exam centers with less than 40 candidates.
“Only 40 per cent of schools in Baringo Central have forty students and above, meaning over 60 per cent will have to merge examination centres,” said Kibogong.
Kibogong said the move was unfair and urged their area MP to fight for their rights at the national assembly.
“The Government should invest in schools so that the students can have a conducive environment for learning and as a result enroll more students,” Kibogong said.
Over 30 schools received their cheques and residents praised Kandie for focusing on education to ensure more students qualify for university slots.
By Caroline Cherono
