Uasin Gishu,

Friday, March 31, 2023

K.N.A

By Collins Kipruto & Cynthia Komen

Uasin Gishu County Government on Thursday released Sh119.5 million bursary to County residents at the County headquarters grounds, an event that lightened the mood of parents and students.

This year 18,071 students have benefited from the bursary, which is supposed to cover tertiary institutions and secondary schools, summing up to 70% for secondary and 30% for tertiary institutions.

While speaking during the event, Governor Jonathan Chelilim said they have set aside money to the County Ministry of Education to help needy students fund their education.

“The bursary goal is to increase needy students’ success across the 30 Wards in retention to completion of education. I have allocated Sh15.7 million in the supplementary budget which is yet to be disbursed to help and support the needy and vulnerable students who missed out on the main bursary due to the high number of applicants,” said Chelilim.

He further stated that the County government has recruited more teachers to improve the quality of education in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) schools. Additionally, Sh40 million have been disbursed for infrastructure development in various vocational training institutions.

He noted the County government is planning to roll out a feeding programme to cater for all ECDE children in public schools. The programme aims at providing a balanced diet ensuring that learners are well nourished and ready to learn.

“For over 600 ECDEs, we have been able to disburse Sh22 million for equipping our institutions with teaching and learning materials. It is important to note that education is the foundation of our economic growth, social progress and poverty reduction,” he said.

So far, 3600 students have been sponsored under County revolving fund in various institutions including the County’s vocational training and those they have existing partnerships with.

Chelilim called on the beneficiaries to make use of the opportunity by working hard to achieve their dreams as he noted that education is the key to unlocking their potential and creating a better future for themselves, their families and the County at large.

On his part, Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot congratulated the 18,071 beneficiaries adding that there would be a follow up on the plans to increase the bursary allocation.

“During the next budget, we shall have a talk between the executive and County Assembly to increase the money. We are also keen on our Nguzo Kumi where education is Nguzo number 5 and deal with broad challenges facing the County,” said Eng. Barorot.

Members of County Assembly led by the Deputy Speaker Sarah Malel who were also in attendance urged the County government to consider working paperless in bursary distribution to be more convenient to parents by minimizing the cases of parents staying with the cheques for a long period of time thus making them expire.

In addition, they urged the government to provide a full scholarship to the needy students to be able to retain them in schools.

Courtesy K.N.A