National Assembly Puts Education Ministry On Spot Over Duplication Of Bursaries And Funding

• The National Assembly initiated action to address the uncoordinated issuance of bursaries and scholarships from public funds, which has led to duplication
• Clerk Samuel Njoroge stated that the disjointed approach had sometimes undermined equitable resource distribution following a petition to the Public Petitions Committee
• Speaker Moses Wetang'ula directed the formulation of a legislative proposal to create a structured system for administering public bursaries
• The National Assembly requested the Ministry of Education provide relevant information to aid in drafting the legislation, which aims to streamline the bursary process

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - The National Assembly has moved to address the uncoordinated issuance of bursaries and scholarships from public funds.

According to Samuel Njoroge, the clerk of the National Assembly, this had reportedly led to duplication of bursaries and funding in some cases.

The move comes following a petition brought to the Public Petitions Committee, established under Standing Order 208A of the National Assembly Standing Orders.

Njoroge said the disjointed approach had, in some cases, undermined the intended equitable distribution of resources.

"We have received a petition which notes that the current uncoordinated approach towards the issuance of bursaries and scholarships from public funds by the Ministry of Education, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), and county governments has, in some instances, led to a duplication of awards," read the letter addressed to Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang.

What is parliament's request to Kipsang

Following the petition, Speaker Moses Wetang'ula directed Njoroge to formulate a legislative proposal that would establish a well-defined structure for administering public bursaries.

Njoroge said the proposal would help streamline the process, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and reach the intended recipients.

The National Assembly urged the Ministry of Education to provide relevant information to assist in drafting the proposed legislation.

"Arising from the foregoing, the Speaker of the National Assembly has instructed the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly to formulate a legislative proposal establishing a defined structure for the administration of public bursaries and scholarships.

This is, therefore, to request that you furnish us with any relevant information in the possession of the Ministry that may assist in the drafting of the legislative proposal, including any existing policy document or Draft Bill," he added.

How did the government instruct universities over fees?

Meanwhile, public universities are under the government's directive to admit all students offered places in institutions of higher learning.

The new funding model left prospective students and their parents in disarray, with concerns that extremely needy cases would miss out on reasonable funding.

However, in a communique addressed to vice-chancellors, the Ministry of Education directed all students to get admission regardless of their household capacity to pay fees and tuition.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.