Mandera County government heeds call, revises bursary scheme upwards

The Elimu Kwa Wote bursary scheme for secondary schools in Mandera County was revised today following a demand issued last week by school headteachers. Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif said a standoff on the increase of the bursary allocation was resolved after having a meeting with the Headteachers' representatives and other education stakeholders.

Speaking to the press in Mandera Town, the governor said the fee contribution from the Elimu Kwa Wote initiative was revised from the current allocation of 70 per cent to 88 per cent for day schools. He stated that boarding schools will continue to receive the current amount of 60 per cent subsidy until further engagements were conducted.

The governor announced a stakeholder meeting that will be convened to discuss and address infrastructural challenges. Khalif urged school heads to ensure students were not sent home for lack of school fees and further told parents to liaise with school principals on the documentation requirements for all applicants. He gave assurance of his commitment towards the successful implementation of the Elimu Kwa Wote that he launched in January last year to promote effective transition from primary to secondary in Mandera County.

Last week, secondary school heads from Mandera cried foul over the implementation of the bursary scheme, which they said was not sufficient to sustain the schools. They cited that the introduction of the bursary scheme forced other supportive institutions, including Equity and Commercial banks, to withdraw scholarship programs. The school heads demanded an increase by the county from 70 per cent to 100 per cent to ensure schools were running smoothly, free from debt burden and non-payment of staff salaries.