County sets aside Sh110 million for education bursary

Needy students in Nyandarua County will benefit from a Sh110 million funding programme, Governor Francis Kimemia said yesterday.

Out of the amount, Sh100 million was set aside in the 2019/2020 budget to be disbursed as bursaries that will benefit nearly 10,000 students.

The Sh10 million was allocated from the Executive's budget and it will be used to fully sponsor needy students who scored over 400 marks in KCPE but cannot afford to join national schools.

Mr Kimemia said for the first time, beneficiaries had been identified through public participation.

“Members of society who knew each other’s needs authorised the allocations. No more boardroom deals will be tolerated as has happened in the past," he said.

The governor hailed the Department of Education, Gender Affairs, Culture and Social Services for heeding the public's request to increase the bursary fund from the previous Sh50 million.

“We are here today because the education team quickly effected the reforms we needed to make applications and access to the county bursary fund people-friendly."

The governor said his administration was also considering supporting students in day schools through a grant to cover their meals and pay the salaries for teachers employed by boards of management.

“We must also build decent sanitation facilities in each of our early child development learning centres, and keep engaging each other on the policies and laws we will need to drive our children’s future forward."

In an effort to make education more attractive and keep children in school, the county has started a programme to give 23,000 young learners milk, while providing jobs for the youth who supply the milk using motorcycles.