Feeding Programme Hampered Schools Call For Increased Bursary Allocations
Public schools in Naivasha’s informal settlements are struggling to maintain their free feeding program due to the current economic situation and drought. As a result, schools are calling on flower farms and hoteliers for food and general support to keep hundreds of learners in class.
Schools have also appealed to the county and national government to increase bursary allocations as the current figure of Sh3,000 is insufficient.
Mirera High School, the largest public school in Naivasha with over 1,600 students, requires 600 bags of maize per term but can only afford to buy 200 bags due to financial constraints faced by parents, most of whom work on flower farms. The chairperson of the Parents Association has urged Central Organisation of Trade Union (Cotu) to seek better salaries for workers and support from the flower farms.
She noted that the free-feeding program has been instrumental in keeping many students from informal settlements in class. The school has a debt of over Sh7 million that has been incurred through food for the students.
During a bursary disbursement event, Hellsgate MCA Virginia Wamaitha acknowledged that provision of lunch in schools had kept learners in class as many parents could not afford two meals per day.
She admitted that the bursary given out was a drop in the ocean, and it is becoming increasingly challenging to buy food for the students from Karagita slums due to the rising debt.
The school Board of Management Chairman cited drought and harsh economic times as major challenges in the school. They do not charge any school fees and rely on funds from bursaries and parents to feed the students, as this is one way of keeping them in class.
Feeding Programme Hampered Schools Call For Increased Bursary Allocations
