NAIROBI, Kenya – National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on the Ministry of Education to provide crucial data and information that will aid in formulating a cohesive policy for the allocation of these funds.
The goal is to ensure a more equitable and transparent system that eliminates overlapping awards and maximizes the impact of available resources.
The request, outlined in a letter by Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge, highlights concerns over the current fragmented approach to issuing bursaries and scholarships.
These funds, distributed through the Ministry of Education, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), and county governments, often result in duplicated efforts and inefficient use of resources.
“We have received a petition that notes that the current uncoordinated approach towards the issuance of bursaries and scholarships from public funds by the Ministry of Education, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), and county governments has, in some instances, led to a duplication of awards,” Njoroge said in the letter.
The Speaker has directed the office of the Clerk to draft a legislative proposal aimed at establishing a well-defined structure for the management and distribution of public bursaries and scholarships.
This proposal is expected to create a standardized system that would ensure all deserving students receive financial support without redundancy.
The letter also referenced an ongoing legal case, Nakuru Constitutional Petition No. E012 of 2024, where a petition has been filed for the consolidation of existing bursaries and scholarships.
This case underscores the urgency for a streamlined policy to manage public educational funds effectively.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has reported a significant number of applications for financial assistance.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba stated that since the opening of the Higher Education Portal, 134,029 applications have been submitted.
Of these, 127,591 have been categorized for various forms of financial aid.
“To date, Sh5.2 billion has been allocated to the Higher Education Loans Board for tuition and upkeep loans, while Sh2.8 billion has been channeled to the Universities Fund for scholarships,” CS Ogamba announced.
He assured that the disbursement of these funds is underway and will be completed by August 30, 2024.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the National Government Administration Office, is employing a multi-agency approach to ensure fair categorization of applicants and to guarantee that no eligible student is overlooked.
The goal is to ensure a more equitable and transparent system that eliminates overlapping awards and maximizes the impact of available resources.
The request, outlined in a letter by Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge, highlights concerns over the current fragmented approach to issuing bursaries and scholarships.
These funds, distributed through the Ministry of Education, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), and county governments, often result in duplicated efforts and inefficient use of resources.
“We have received a petition that notes that the current uncoordinated approach towards the issuance of bursaries and scholarships from public funds by the Ministry of Education, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), and county governments has, in some instances, led to a duplication of awards,” Njoroge said in the letter.
The Speaker has directed the office of the Clerk to draft a legislative proposal aimed at establishing a well-defined structure for the management and distribution of public bursaries and scholarships.
This proposal is expected to create a standardized system that would ensure all deserving students receive financial support without redundancy.
The letter also referenced an ongoing legal case, Nakuru Constitutional Petition No. E012 of 2024, where a petition has been filed for the consolidation of existing bursaries and scholarships.
This case underscores the urgency for a streamlined policy to manage public educational funds effectively.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has reported a significant number of applications for financial assistance.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba stated that since the opening of the Higher Education Portal, 134,029 applications have been submitted.
Of these, 127,591 have been categorized for various forms of financial aid.
“To date, Sh5.2 billion has been allocated to the Higher Education Loans Board for tuition and upkeep loans, while Sh2.8 billion has been channeled to the Universities Fund for scholarships,” CS Ogamba announced.
He assured that the disbursement of these funds is underway and will be completed by August 30, 2024.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the National Government Administration Office, is employing a multi-agency approach to ensure fair categorization of applicants and to guarantee that no eligible student is overlooked.
