Lugari: Lugari lawmaker Nabii Nabwera has issued bursary funds worth Sh80 million under the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to needy students from the constituency in form three and four. Speaking during the disbursement exercise at Holy Family Musembe Secondary School, the Member of Parliament (MP) said under the new education support programme, every student attending a day secondary school within the constituency is getting Sh5000 which covers half of their annual school fees.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nabwera noted the bursaries will significantly complement parents’ efforts in paying school fees besides improving the student transition and retention rate at schools. He emphasized that he has played his part adequately and urged parents to collaborate with school principals to work out payment plans for the remaining fees. Nabwera also appealed to students to attend school and work hard as a way of reciprocating the government’s financial support.
The MP further called on the government to allocate an additional Sh30 million to each constituency in the supplementary budget to cater for needy grade 10 learners. He encouraged fellow lawmakers to treat education as an economic issue and increase its funding in the next budget cycle from Sh760 billion to 1 trillion to meet the current high demands in the education sector.
Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda praised the MP for setting aside Sh80 million in bursaries to uplift the constituency’s education sector. She highlighted Nabwera’s efforts in improving school infrastructure, noting that before his election, the constituency lacked a single primary school with a storeyed building, but now there are 12 such schools.
Chekalini Ward representative Titus Kwoma expressed support for Nabwera’s educational initiatives and called on other stakeholders to play their roles effectively. He urged parents, students, teachers, and leaders to work collaboratively to enhance academic performance in Lugari.
Moses Guriri, Deputy Director in charge of Administration at Kakamega County Education office, thanked the MP for supporting the Ministry of Education’s efforts to ensure every Kenyan child receives education. He acknowledged the importance of reducing the financial burden on parents and appreciated Nabwera’s initiative.
Lugari Sub County Director of Education Joan Sakwa and her Matete counterpart Erick Obwiri commended the MP’s new education support programme, which they believe will ensure a 100 percent transition and retention of learners in schools. They encouraged school principals to collaborate with parents on payment plans instead of sending students home for fees.
Lastly, Lugari branch Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) chair David Makokha lauded Nabwera for his support in terms of fees payment and infrastructural projects, ensuring that all learners remain in school and receive education.
