Some 7500 Gatundu South students have receives sh 64 million worth bursaries from the area National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
The funds comes as a relief to the cash-strained parents who are struggling to raise and settle second term school fees for their children after facing tough times precipitated by the current harsh economic times.
Area MP GG Kagombewhile disbursing the bursary cheques in Gatundu town noted that all learners who had applied for the bursaries have benefitted adding that the process was transparent and no needy learner has been left out.
“For the first time, Gatundu South learners have been issued with bursaries in the most transparent manner. Previously, we heard incidences where corrupt officials sold out bursary forms in secrecy, leaving our deserving poor students. We have streamlined this,” the MP said.
University, college and tertiary institutions students also benefited from the kitty.
Over 1200 youths who had been sponsored by the area NGCDF to undergo short courses received their certificates during the event after successfully completing their courses.
The short programmes including bakery, fashion and design, beauty, driving among others have been taunted as a game changer in the fight to alleviate joblessness among youths in the area.
“We believe that by equipment our youth relevant technical skills we have empowered them to start their own income generating activities and also made them more employable,” the MP said.
He at the same time revealed that the Gatundu South NGCDF has laid down an elaborate plan that will see parents in all day secondary schools within the constituency pay less school fees adding that the NGCDF kitty will facilitate the rest including meals for the students.
“We are working on a strategy that will see the burden of paying school fees lifted from the parents and shouldered by the government in entirety. This way, we believe even the levels of education and academic performance in our schools will rise,” Kagombe noted.
The lawmaker pointed out that the move will ensure that students spend their time in school and concentrate with their studies which will in turn improve the region’s academic performance
The MP also reiterated that diverse development initiatives aimed at uplifting education levels have been implemented. They lined refurbishment of schools, construction and upgrading of classrooms, laboratories among others.
Parents who benefited said that the funds were a ‘shot-in-the-arm’ for most of them who are currently facing challenging economic times.
“Even putting food on the table has become a toll order. Things are tough for most of us and we are grateful for the little we have received,” said Susan Wanjiku, a parent.
The parents also called on the government to make swift interventions that will see the cost of living lowered for Kenyans to live decently.
