Govt Bursaries Scandal: 131,854 Students in 2023 KCPE Yet to Join Secondary Schools
Thousands of Form One learners have yet to attend secondary schools, raising concerns about their potential dropout due to the closure of bursary and scholarship application windows. Parents and students, voicing their frustrations, accuse authorities of favoring undeserving families and neglecting those genuinely in need.
The latest data from the Ministry of Education in Kenya reveals that a significant number of boys and girls, totaling 131,854, have yet to make the transition from primary to secondary school.
The award of bursaries by politicians, who often use it as a political tool to reward or punish opponents, exacerbates the plight of the economically disadvantaged.
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Some stakeholders in the education sector have raised concerns about the selective allocation of bursaries by political leaders at the county and constituency levels. They urge the national government to reconsider the criteria for bursary distribution.
As of January 26th, the Ministry’s report indicates that out of 1.39 million children placed in secondary schools, 91% have reported, while the remaining 9% are yet to attend.
The ministry also noted that 5,723 KCPE candidates opted for technical and vocational education and training (Tvet) institutions.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu reassured the public, stating, “There is no cause for alarm.” He advised parents without school fees to enroll their children, emphasizing that they could work on securing funds later.
The issue of low transition rates to secondary school is particularly pronounced in certain counties. For instance, Kajiado experienced a mere 64% enrollment, with Kilifi, Narok, and Isiolo also recording transition rates below 80%.
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On the other hand, Bungoma and Baringo stand out positively with 82% and 85% of their children progressing to secondary school.
In contrast, Laikipa, Nyeri, and Samburu counties boast high numbers of children moving on to secondary education, with nearly all placed students successfully joining high school.
Meanwhile, Wajir, Nakuru, and Nairobi achieved a commendable 98% transition rate, and Marsabit in the north saw 97% of its children entering Form One.
Despite the government’s unwavering push for a 100% transition rate, this objective has fallen short this year, with only 91% of the target realized.
Among those who opted for an alternative path, 91% chose technical training, leading to 3,128 boys and 2,595 girls enrolling in vocational training institutes this year.
The challenges faced by these students highlight the shortcomings of the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) program. While the government is supposed to allocate Sh22,244 per learner annually, the actual funding has dwindled to about Sh17,000, affecting both tuition and boarding fees.
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Parents and guardians of the affected students express frustration, stating that their attempts to secure bursaries have been unsuccessful, and their hopes are rapidly diminishing.
The financial burden on parents is daunting, with the obligation to raise over Sh54,000 and Sh40,000 annually for national and extra-county schools, respectively.
This financial requirement does not include additional expenses and purchases essential before entering Form One, making the cumulative cost for the first term exceed Sh70,000.
Dickson Wanyangu, the head teacher of Kakamega Primary School, highlighted the challenging circumstances faced by students, noting, “Most of my students come from very humble backgrounds and are raised by single parents who lack the financial capacity to pay fees, despite their children’s academic potential.”
As of December 2023, statistics indicate that more than 7.8 million Kenyans survive on less than $1.90 a day. Additionally, 2.97 million Kenyans are currently unemployed, while the minimum wage in Kenya stands at Sh7,544.
These figures underscore the urgent need for the government to proactively align education with the constitutional guarantee that “every child has a right to education.”
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The predicament at Kakamega Primary School serves as a poignant illustration of the challenges faced by hundreds of thousands of needy students nationwide. Many have lost hope of pursuing secondary education unless the government intervenes.
Recent releases of funds, including Sh10 billion to NG-CDF and Sh1.5 billion to NGAAF, aim to address the issue. Machogu urged parents to access these resources, but on the ground, many students remain at home due to difficulties in securing bursaries.
Critics argue that access to bursaries is often influenced by local authorities, with allegations of favoritism toward those connected to chiefs and politicians.
Despite government claims that 14,426 learners benefited from the Elimu Scholarship program this year, many parents remain skeptical about the fairness of the allocation process.
Machogu emphasized the government’s commitment to spending approximately Sh4.5 billion in the current financial year to support 43,000 needy learners across the 47 counties.
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However, concerns persist, as illustrated by the struggles of families with modest means to enroll and retain their children in school, given the prescribed fees for national and extra-county schools.
Govt Bursaries Scandal: 131,854 Students in 2023 KCPE Yet to Join Secondary Schools
