Questions raised over bursary funds as 300,000 students still missing Form One school fees

As the government continues with the mop-up of about 300,000 students who sat KCPE in 2023 and are yet to report for their secondary school education, questions have emerged over how this huge number of learners missed school fees.

Who is benefitting from the various bursaries and scholarships cutting across elected leaders and private institutions? Is there a fair criterion for distributing these funds or are the resources benefitting undeserving learners?

Why are these students struggling yet there are a number of available modes of funding including the National Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), scholarships through private institutions and other programs run by elected leaders.

One such worrying case is that of Salome Cheptoo from Belgut Constituency, who despite scoring 370 marks, is yet to report to Moi Siongiroi Secondary School for her secondary education due to her inability to secure funding. 

A similar story was shared by Vivian Cherotich from Kipkelion West Constituency who is watching as her light slowly dims.

“Tumejaribu kuenda kutafuta pesa kwa county sikupata...nikajaribu Equity sikupata...Elimu Scholarship sikupata…HELB sikupata...CDF nikaambiwa niende shule kwanza itakuja, na shule wanataka pesa siku ya kwanza,” Salome Cheptoo said.

This raises questions on what is the criterion of distribution of bursaries and why so many needy cases like that of Salome are still seeking financial support. 

In the 2022/23 financial year, the NG-CDF has been allocated an estimated Ksh.53.5 billion. Members of Parliament are allowed to spend at least 40% of their allocation per constituency on bursaries. In this case, that translates to slightly over Ksh.20 billion.

Besides the NG-CDF, there is Ksh.22,000 in capitation by the government for day scholars. County governments also offer scholarships. There are scholarship programmes offered by private institutions and the national government under Elimu Scholarship Programme.

With all these, why are needy students still locked out? Is there a disparity in the distribution? Are there students that are receiving multiple funds?

 “Kwa familia yangu hakuna ata mmoja ambaye ameenda secondary, nikienda nitakuwa wa kwanza,” Vivian Cherotich, another needy student, said.

Former Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) National Chairman Kahi Indimuli admits that there is a challenge in the management of bursaries, proposing that there should be a central point where all beneficiaries are listed to address cases of one student getting multiple bursaries.

The matter seemingly caught the eye of the government, with Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang saying they are moving to institute measures that will deal with possible instances of discrimination.

“We are revamping the Jomo Kenyatta foundations so that we can coordinate the students who receive the bursaries so that one does not benefit from CDF, Elimu, and other bursaries,” stated Kipsang.

In Kathiani Constituency, MP Robert Mbui said the criteria for distribution is a people-led process. They receive an estimated Ksh.42 million covering 8,000 students. The money is shared equally in the 22 wards then distribution is done in the villages where members determine the amount based on the needs.

Dagoreti North MP Beatrice Elachi acknowledges the challenges in distributing the bursaries. She said that on Monday and Tuesday this week her office received 15,000 applications which will now undergo verification before funds are distributed.

“When we came in we found a problem, that is developed by politicians, it needs to be streamlined so that the education sector can be functional. Sometimes when desperate parents come, what you give them you don’t know it if helps or not,” Elachi noted.

With a solution not in sight just yet, it is the hope of needy students that they will stumble upon well wishers to breathe life to their secondary education dreams.