Bursary Crisis as 290 Constituencies Yet to Receive Monies Amid Schools Reopening
A delay in disbursing National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) funds may result in schools turning away learners from low-income households who depend on bursaries to pay their tuition when classes resume on Monday.
Since last July, the National Treasury has not disbursed even a shilling to the 290 constituencies, jeopardizing the education of thousands of poor learners.
The fund is disbursed quarterly, indicating that the constituencies should have received 75% of the funds by now. Members of Parliament described the postponement yesterday as a “extremely unfortunate state of affairs.”
Some MPs claimed that they had distributed bursary applications but had no funds to distribute to deserving candidates. Last month, Mps staged a walkout in the House to protest the delay in the release of Sh53.3 billion NG-CDF cash.
ALSO READ: Ruto Signs CDF Bill to Increase School Bursaries and Support Feeding Programs
The Constituency Development Act has increased the allocation for bursaries from 35% to 40%, utilizing 2.5 percent of the total national revenue, as mandated by the law to be distributed across the constituencies. This means that Sh21.2 billion of the Sh53.3 billion would go toward bursaries.
The split of Revenue Act establishes an equitable split of national revenue between the two levels of government. The National Treasury allotted Sh44.3 billion to the NG-CDF in the fiscal year 2022/2023.
Constituencies receive varying allocations based on the number of wards and the amount of money received nationally. For example, constituencies with four wards receive approximately Sh155 million, those with five wards receive approximately Sh160 million, and those with six wards receive approximately Sh180 million.
Constituencies with six and seven wards receive approximately Sh170 million, while those with eight wards receive approximately Sh180 million. Last month, President William Ruto and the National Treasury assured MPs that they would disburse the funds before schools reopened.
“I want to assure members that there are resources for our children to go to school. That is not negotiable. We will stop other items,” said President Ruto.
On Tuesday, our inquiry about when the money would be disbursed went unanswered by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u.
Several MPs indicated yesterday that they are facing a big problem, with students and their parents camped out at CDF offices. Meanwhile, the National Parents Association (NPA) has urged the National Treasury to deliver the fund as soon as possible in order to avoid a halt in learning in schools beginning next week.
ALSO READ: Government to Release CDF Funds in January
Silas Obuhatsa, the chairperson of the National Parents Association (NPA), voiced concerns, indicating that Members of Parliament (MPs) have distributed forms to learners, but uncertainty looms regarding the timeline for the availability of funds.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi noted that a significant number of students, reliant on the NG-CDF bursary, are at risk of not being able to return to school on Monday. Mr. Wandayi emphasized the likelihood that many learners may face challenges due to the uncertainty surrounding the availability of the funds.
Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia encouraged Prof Ndung’u to deliver the monies to the constituencies as soon as possible, notwithstanding his vow to do so by the end of December last year. He emphasized that the Treasury must prioritize the release of school capitation funds without altering the owed amounts.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo described the situation as critical, pointing out that Members of Parliament (MPs) are facing intense pressure from parents. He highlighted the high demand for financial assistance, illustrating the severity by stating that he receives around 100 requests daily from parents.
Many of these parents, he added, are struggling to secure funds for their children who have received admission offers to reputable schools but lack the necessary financial resources.
Dr. Amolo told Nation that the Treasury has not spoken with MPs about when the money will be given. He accused the exchequer of dragging its heels during parliament’s protracted recess. Dr. Amolo asserted that if a government fails to release funds as mandated by law, it should consider resigning.
ALSO READ: 52,000 Form One Students to Get Scholarships, Says CS Machogu
Minority Whip Junet Mohamed disclosed that MPs are now personally covering some urgent cases, citing an example of a girl in his constituency who scored 398 in the KCPE exam but lacks funds for Form One, compelling him to use his own resources. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, expressing concern for the most needy cases, mentioned that those passionate about education are stepping in from their own pockets to provide assistance.
Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu stated that they had anticipated the funds by December 20 but find themselves in a dilemma as the demand is overwhelming, with parents seeking assistance at their offices without available resources to offer.
He projected that 2023 would be a challenging year for most parents, who would have little left to save for school tuition and would have to rely totally on bursaries. Some MPs, however, are optimistic that the Treasury will provide the monies on time.
Some argue that CDF boards should be permitted to restructure their finances to make room for bursaries. Mr. Barasa expressed doubt that principals would send learners home during the first week of opening. He suggested that fund managers should have the capability to reallocate funds from non-priority areas and utilize them to fulfill bursary payments.
Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo expressed similar sentiments, adding that if the delay continues, he will reallocate funds put out for other initiatives to fund learning. Caroli Omondi, MP for Suba South, said his CDF board will begin selecting beneficiaries today while waiting for the Treasury to distribute the monies.
Mr Omondi stated that his board will issue Sh10,000 to secondary school students and Sh20,000 to college students. “Interested and needy students… are requested to [visit their] respective polling stations,” Suba South Fund Manager Eric Kiraithe stated in a public notice.
ALSO READ: Ministry of Education’s Scholarship for 2023 KCPE Students: Requirements & How to Apply
Meetings to choose beneficiaries are scheduled for today and tomorrow by the constituency. Kuria Kimani, Chairman of the National Assembly Finance Committee, stated that the biggest budgetary strain on the country had been the repayment of the Eurobond, which was completed last week.
He expressed optimism that funds for bursaries will now be available for distribution to constituencies. Mr Kimani stated that while waiting for cash, CDF committees should continue to issue bursary forms and begin the verification process.
Mr. Kimani emphasized that the issuance of bursaries is a systematic process, involving more than just distributing money. Highlighting the necessity of a vetting process that may take some time, he ensured that when the funds become available, they are released to the schools in a structured manner.
He also challenged CDF committees to align their proposals with the new standards, asserting that even if the exchequer is ready to transfer the funds, they cannot do so unless all guidelines are met.
Zaheer Jhanda, MP representing Nyaribari Chache, said the delay was a big source of concern for MPs.
Mr. Jhanda expressed concern over the critical role of bursaries for students, especially with the imminent reopening of schools. He noted that there were promises to release the funds as soon as possible, underscoring the urgency of addressing the situation.
ALSO READ: Gov’t Releases Ksh.3.9B Scholarships for First-Year Students
Bursary Crisis as 290 Constituencies Yet to Receive Monies Amid Schools Reopening
