Ruiru seeks donor aid as over 40,000 learners apply for bursaries
By Oliver Musembi, July 25, 2024More than 40,000 needy learners are seeking school bursary allocations in Ruiru constituency, Kiambu county as the populous electoral area grapples with an overwhelming number of applicants.
According to area MP Simon King’ara (pictured), Sh80 million was allocated for education bursaries this year from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) which is inadequate, prompting him to seek additional support from donors.
“We had allocated Sh80 million for this year’s disbursements, but this is inadequate from the high turnout of applicants. Even after verification, the deserving cases will be close to 30,000 meaning the total allocations will be over Sh90 million,” said the legislator.
Speaking when he presided over issuance of application forms at the Githurai DO’s premises, King’ara, however, said he has written to the NG-CDF Board seeking to be allowed to spend above the allocation ceiling of Sh80 million in order to ensure all deserving students benefit.
“Education bursaries usually drain cash meant for other developments within the education sector forcing my office to device other means of actualising the projects including partnering with corporates and the private sector,” King’ara painted out.
Huge percentage
He divulged that the partnerships have borne fruit since more than 50 classrooms have been built in various primary and secondary schools within the constituency through the public private participation (PPP) initiative.
“We usually find it tough while issuing bursaries due to the high number of applicants from the eight wards within the constituency which include Mwihoko, Mwiki, Kiuu, Gitothua, Biashara, Gatung’ora, Kahawa Sukari and Kahawa wendani in view of the available fund,” the MP stated.
He averred that a huge percentage of parents in the peri-urban region cannot facilitate their children’s education owing to the current harsh economic times, unemployment and high cost of living and noted that the NG-CDF kitty has been pivotal in enhancing access to education and realisation of 100 per cent transition.