Kerugoya,
Thursday, March 14, 2024
KNA by Mutai Kipngetich
Gichugu Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Githinji has called upon members of the National Assembly to rally behind his proposal to have all bursaries be put under one kitty to bring to an end the duplication in issuance of the money.
Speaking in St Mary Magdalene Githage Secondary School in his constituency, the MP said he is pushing for the amendment of the NG-CDF Act to ensure equity among the students countrywide.
The legislator noted that some learners end up benefiting twice from different sources as others still miss out or in some areas students with a huge population receive as little as Sh. 1000 while in other areas they receive enough to sponsor students to foreign countries.
The MP was commissioning the new Dining Hall and modern kitchen constructed by the National Government –Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) at a cost of Sh. 6 million.
“We want to amend the NG-CDF Act to ensure all bursaries in Kenya are put in one basket and distributed equally to students. As of now some receive an amount that cannot even cater for one term’s fees while other regions get enough sponsor students to foreign studies,” MP said.
He added the improvement of school infrastructure will improve the teachers and student morale which will in turn boost the academic standards.
Githage Secondary school was the only institution without facilities in the area; MP promised that all day schools in Gichugu will get all what they need to boost education.
“All day schools in Gichugu will be given priority to get the infrastructure they need. We have been for a long time considering boarding schools but this time day schools will be given same attention”Sarah Karanja, Principal Githage Secondary School, said they have never had such a facility since the establishment of the school.
The students have been eating from outside as well as the meeting held on the playfield. She noted the facility will reduce the incurred expenses in hiring tents to hold important functions; additionally it will help the community at large in utilizing facility for trainings during school holidays.
“We could not host other schools around the area but from today we can, the leadership and parents have been supportive towards achieving the milestone. It will reduce the cost of hiring tents and chairs when having functions like parent’s day and meetings,” Principal said.
Grace Njeri, parent, said the government should invest more in day school because they produce the same results as boarding. She added parents currently prefer it because they monitor the progress of their children daily.
They also offer parental guidance, as they understand the challenges they are facing at home. Irene Karimi, another parent echoed sentiments Njeri’s saying the hall will not only provide good place for meals but also assist in studies such set book live performances or watching the performances on screens which normally required closed venues John Kamutha, parent in the school, requested the MP to push for allocation for education to help the parents facing the fee challenges.
He also called upon consideration of day schools because all pupils are equal considering that some non-boarding schools do better compared to boarding schools.
Courtesy; KNA
