Woman Reps to get more bursary money

Nairobi County MP Esther Passaris (fourth from left) issues a dummy cheque worthy of Sh13.8 million to some of the beneficiaries drawn from across Nairobi County on Thursday, April 13, 2023. [Mike Kihaki, Standard]

The government is set to give Sh3 million more in bursaries to Constituencies through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).

This is above the current Sh6 million and will ensure more students access education through the office of the County Woman Representative.

This was revealed by Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris who said the government had promised to give more money to the office towards assisting needy learners to access education.

Speaking in Nairobi when he issued bursary cheques to 800 secondary and tertiary students, Passaris said despite the fact that the government is struggling to raise funds, it has given education the first priority.

''I have to thank the government for its positive leaning towards the education of our children in the country. Even with the challenges they are going through, they have promised to give us Sh9 million for each Constituency towards the NGAAF. This will rope in more students to access education,'' Passaris said.

The Nairobi MP who issued Sh13.8 million in bursaries urged all beneficiaries to use the opportunity to work hard in order to achieve their dreams.

''We are excited to support the education of bright young minds. Let's celebrate these students' achievements and encourage them to continue reaching for their dreams,'' she said.

''Education is a fundamental right, which should be accessible to all, regardless of their background or circumstances. Investing in education is not only important for the future success of our youth, but it also has a positive impact on the entire community," Passaris said.

She further said it would be of no use to issue bursaries to many learners who will at the end of the day rope out of school.

The Nairobi MP further said with limited funds, it is worth it to offer to few students with enhanced funds so that the students finish school.

''We will not play politics with the education of our children to see that we have given to many children when in reality we are subjecting them to drop out of school when they fail to get the balance,'' Passaris said.

Passaris pointed the finger at school Principals who send learners away from school for school fees saying this denies the student's time to concentrate in class.

''Sending learners from school for fees does not give guarantees of getting the money from the families. With the current inflation, the schools should find a formula with parents on how to foot the balances owed to them,'' she added.