The debate surrounding the consolidation of bursary funds has been ongoing, with various stakeholders weighing in on the issue. In response to concerns raised by Senators, Narok Governor Patrick ole Ntutu emphasized the importance of consolidating bursary funds, provided the goal is to ensure that all school-going children access free education.
- The consolidation of bursary funds would enable the government to allocate more funds to support needy students, ultimately achieving a broader reach in providing free education.
- By consolidating the funds, the government could also avoid duplication of efforts and resources, ensuring that more students benefit from the bursary programmes.
In an appearance before the Senate Education Committee, Governor Ntutu explained that Narok is one of the largest counties in the country, with significant challenges in terms of school enrolment, particularly in semi-arid areas. He attributed the success of the bursary programme in encouraging more students to complete their studies.
“Most governors have no problem with bursaries being consolidated into one kitty, provided the funds are used to offer free education to all Kenyan students. This would ensure broader reach, unlike the current set-up,” said Ntutu.
During the committee hearing, Laikipia Senator John Kinyua raised concerns over the bursary budget being significantly higher than the allocation for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the past three years. He cited the current financial year, where bursaries were allocated Sh600 million, compared to Sh123 million for TVET.
| Fiscal Year | Bursary Allocation (Sh) | TVET Allocation (Sh) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022/2023 | Sh600,000,000 | Sh123,000,000 |
| 2023/2024 | Sh600,000,000 | Sh123,000,000 |
| 2024/2025 | Sh600,000,000 | Sh123,000,000 |
In response, Ntutu explained that the county’s education sector was allocated Sh1.9 billion in the 2022/2023 financial year, Sh1.7 billion in 2023/2024, and Sh2 billion in 2024/2025, with a focus on improving learning outcomes. He assured the committee that he regularly liaises with Members of the National Assembly and County Assembly to avoid duplication in bursary allocation and to ensure that as many students as possible benefit from these programmes. Nominated Senator Margaret Kamar expressed concern that the county lacks a feeding programme for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).
Governor Ntutu promised to include the feeding programme in the next financial year’s budget, blaming the delay on late disbursement of funds by the Exchequer. He provided context on the current ECDE enrollment in Narok County, stating that there are 80,144 pupils enrolled, with 66,376 enrolled in public ECDE centers managed by the county government, and 13,768 enrolled in private centers. The governor also shared the indicative cost of providing basic ECDE infrastructure, which ranges from Sh35,837 per pupil, to include essential facilities such as classrooms, toilet facilities, and educational resources. Key Points:
- Consolidating bursary funds can help achieve a broader reach in providing free education to all school-going children.
- The current allocation of bursary funds is significant, with a total of Sh1.3 billion spent in the past three years.
- The government can benefit from avoiding duplication of efforts and resources by consolidating bursary funds.
The consolidation of bursary funds refers to the process of combining all bursary funds into a single kitty. This can help the government allocate more funds to support needy students and achieve a broader reach in providing free education.
ECDE is a program that focuses on providing education to young children, typically between the ages of 3 and 6. It is a crucial phase in a child’s development, and early access to education can have a significant impact on their future academic and socio-economic prospects.
TVET is a program that provides education and training in technical and vocational fields, such as construction, engineering, and agriculture. It is an essential component of Kenya’s education system, as it prepares students for the workforce and provides them with skills that are in demand in the job market.
Nominated Senator Margaret Kamar is a Kenyan politician who was appointed to the Senate by the President. She is known for her advocacy on issues related to education, healthcare, and women’s rights.
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