Orphaned pupils’ fund abused

• Report by religious group exposes flaws in the management of school relief kitty

A report by religious groups has exposed flaws in the management of school funds meant for orphans and other disadvantaged children.

The funds supplied by the Ministry of Education could be excluding other needy pupils due to wrong composition of committees that disburse it, according to a report.

The teams are from within the school committees and parents, thereby denying the process objectivity that could come from independent people.

Religious Council

The report of the Inter Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) said there was evidence of gross misappropriation in 70 per cent of the schools covered, majority of them in Nairobi and Nyanza.

“Specific punitive actions should be taken against these committees,” said the report that was based on 40 schools.

The report said it was wrong to exclude councillors, chiefs and children’s officers from the selection teams.

Each primary school selected under the programme receives a support grant of Sh100,000 to as many orphans and vulnerable children as possible.

The funds are used to buy uniforms, shoes, desks and sanitary towels for selected pupils.

There are about 1.8 million orphans. Many have no access to basic education due to poverty.

The study titled: “Monitoring and Evaluation of Most Vulnerable Children Support Grants Programme (2009/2010)”, was funded by the United States Agency for International Development.

“The process only allows for identification of needy children within the schools, leaving out other children in the community...” said the report.

The teachers’ judgment alone without the help of social officers and other community members outside the school set-up is not sufficient to vet the most vulnerable children especially those out of school, said the study.

The report concludes that “there is need to involve the children’s officer/social services officer, religious leaders and other relevant parties in the selection of beneficiaries.”

IRCK members include the Kenya Episcopal Conference, National Council of Churches of Kenya, Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims.