As the third term of the school calendar kicked off across the country, 576 learners from Murang’a County received bursaries worth Sh4.6 million, offering relief to struggling parents amidst the harsh economic times
The bursary awards, drawn from the Murang’a County Woman Representative’s office, targeted students in public secondary schools, tertiary colleges, and universities.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony at Kimorori grounds, the County Woman Representative Betty Maina emphasized the importance of education in transforming lives.
She urged parents to encourage their children to pursue education and focus on their studies as it is the only game changer that can open a world of opportunities to them.
“Today’s struggle should not discourage you. I know many families are enduring very difficult times, but education is the one inheritance you can give your children that no one can take away,” she said
She also called on learners to value the sacrifices being made on their behalf.
“I urge you to shun bad company and peer pressure and always remember that your parents are sacrificing to ensure you get an education, so make it worthwhile.”
Maina pledged to push for more resources for learners, noting that education remains the greatest equalizer if we want to transform our county and our country.
Parents who benefited from the bursary expressed gratitude but also voiced a growing call for reforms in how education is funded.
They opined that while the bursaries provide short-term relief, the amounts are often too little to meet the rising cost of school fees.
They appealed for the consolidation of all education funds into one structured program that could eventually make education free and universal for all from primary to university.
One of the beneficiaries, Eunice Nduta from Kangari, Kigumo constituency noted that the bursary was both a relief at a time when parents are grappling with high cost of living and cost of basic commodities
“Times are very hard economically, and as parents, such bursaries are a relief as we will be able to keep our children in school,” she said.
“However, I suggest the proposal to amalgamate and consolidate all bursaries so as to make education free for all. Because you still need to add more money to what we will get in bursaries,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Peter Njuguna, whose daughter is in her second year at Embu University.
“This bursary will push me a bit and help my daughter continue with her studies, even as I encourage her to also apply for the HELB fund,” he said.
He noted that he supports the proposal to consolidate all funds and make education free and universal for all as it should be a right for every Kenyan child.
For some, the bursary represented a lifeline after long months of financial frustration.
Njeri Muthoni said her granddaughter had already missed two semesters at Zetech University due to lack of fees.
“She had missed two semesters already because we could not raise the fees needed to keep her in school, but this bursary gives me hope that she will go back to class.
If the funds could be consolidated, it would be easier for us so children can learn for free, as even coming to get the bursaries is a daunting task for some of us,” she said.
Education experts argue that if passed, a policy to amalgamate and consolidate all the education funding opportunities, including bursaries and scholarships from public funds, by the ministry of education, the NGCDF, the county governments, and financial institutions to provide free universal education for all children.
Currently, bursaries, National Government Constituencies Development Fund (Ng-CDF) allocations, and scholarships are currently scattered across multiple government programs.
They note that consolidation could streamline processes and ensure that no child drops out of school for lack of fees.
By Florence Kinyua
