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{
    "id": 1562845,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1562845/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 284,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Thang’wa",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "FURTHER AWARE THAT, many students in secondary schools and higher education institutions come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, making it difficult for them to afford school fees and access education opportunities; NOTING THAT, over the years, various interventions have been made, including the issuance of bursaries through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NCDF), National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), the Ministry of Education and county governments through various county bursary funds; CONCERNED THAT, despite these efforts, school fees remain unaffordable for many parents and the allocation of bursaries has been plagued by nepotism, favoritism, and political manipulation, lack of transparency and accountability; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT public learning institutions are primarily funded by the Government through the Ministry of Education, and in the Financial Year 2024/2025, approximately Kshs656 billion was allocated to the education sector, making it difficult to ascertain the specific funds granted to each student and that the lack of transparency in the disbursement of bursaries from various agencies makes it difficult to determine the total amount allocated in a financial year, thus hindering efforts to ensure equitable access to education for financially disadvantaged students; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate urges the Ministry of Education, to: 1) audit the funds allocated to bursaries by both the National Government and county governments; 2) consolidate the funds distributed by various government entities and agencies, with the aim of directing these funds directly to schools as supplementary capitation to facilitate the achievement of free secondary education; and 3) calculate the cost of education per learner and make this information public for primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, including a detailed breakdown of the annual financial requirements for each student across the country. Madam Temporary Speaker, we just concluded a Session with the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Education. How I wish he could have sat in to listen to this deliberation because once the Senate concludes on this matter, it will be taken to the Ministry of Education to at least implement on the proposals and recommendation of the Senate. Madam Temporary Speaker, I would like to be on record that this Motion, is not fighting bursary because, bursaries are lifeline. Without bursaries, so many students could not have attained education, gone to school and the rate of dropout and illiteracy rate could have been higher than it is today. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}