Busia, 

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

K.N.A

By Absalom Namwalo

Nambale MP Geofrey Mulanya has urged the government to prioritize improving infrastructure in primary schools to ensure success of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Mulanya termed CBC as one of the best projects invested in though most primary schools where JSS are domiciled are faced with numerous challenges that need urgent intervention.

Speaking at St.Marys Nambale Urban secondary school during the issuing of bursary cheques to students and parents who benefited from Sh34 million National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) for the FY 2022/2023, the MP noted that most schools in Nambale lack infrastructure and sufficient facilities forcing teachers to use trees as alternatives.

“When you walk around in public primary schools, the fact on the ground is that the schools are facing a tough situation making JSS a sad reality in primary schools; this ranges from inadequate infrastructure, lack of enough teachers and unclear policy on JSS,” noted Mulanya.

The legislator lauded the government effort to employ teachers urging parents to cooperate with school heads in achieving quality education.

“I acknowledge the President’s effort of employing 30,000 teachers to help bridge the gap over time, but the truth is there is still much to be done even though the number was significant,” said Mulanya.

“As we speak now, we need laboratories within the JSSs. The primary schools don’t even have sufficient classrooms; this calls for all stakeholders to play a collective role in supporting education,” he added.

The MP wants the government to increase CDF allocation to benefit more needy students in the society thus achieving equality in education.

The legislator said owing to the rising number of needy students, they are forced to offer little amount of money for bursary.

“Students in secondary schools or higher learning institutions request for Sh10, 000, but we cannot offer such. Instead, we only manage to give them Sh5, 000, and 4,000 for those in day schools” he said.

“The only way the government can achieve its education goals is to work towards developing communities that ensure no child is left behind on education irrespective of their economic background. This can only be done by increasing funding to NG-CDF education bursaries,” he noted.

Nambale Urban secondary school had the highest number of applicants with over 700 showing interest from whom 650 benefited.

The funds from the kitty have been instrumental in supporting development and facilitating projects in education such as building of classrooms, school offices and supporting the needy with bursary fees.

Courtesy K.N.A