Speaker Wetang'ula writes to Education Ministry over duplication of bursaries

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has asked the Ministry of Education to provide the necessary information and data to help formulate a policy for guiding bursary distribution.

This is after the Speaker revealed that the House had received a petition highlighting the uncoordinated approach that has resulted in duplicated bursaries and scholarships from the Ministry, National Government Constituencies Development Fund and county government.

In a letter from Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge dated August 16, 2024, Wetang'ula expressed hope that the new policy would ensure fairness and equity in allocating the funds.

Njoroge stated that the Speaker directed the Clerk's office to draft a legislative proposal to establish a clear structure for administering public bursaries and scholarships.

"This is, therefore, to request that you furnish us with any relevant information in the possession of the Ministry that may assist in the drafting of the legislative proposal, including any existing policy document or draft Bill," the letter reads in part.

The letter was addressed to Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang.

The letter further noted that the High Court has been petitioned in Nakuru Constitutional Petition No. E012 of 2024, Laban Omusundi versus Office of the Controller of Budget and five others, for the consolidation of existing bursaries and scholarships.

The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee has launched a campaign against a proposed plan to merge all public-funded bursary schemes into a single program aimed at improving education financing.

On Thursday, committee members raised concerns about the potential overlap of functions among public entities that finance education.

The debate grew more heated after a National Assembly caucus discussed merging bursary funds to resolve issues related to the newly introduced university funding model.

Committee Chairperson Musa Sirma, MP for Eldama Ravine, highlighted the importance of the NG-CDF and called on the public to support its continuation.

He noted that the NG-CDF has been crucial in assisting low-income households by covering school fees and enhancing essential educational infrastructure across the country.