CS Yatani launches Sh400m bursary to aid learners

Labour CS Ukur Yatani flags off lorries with food and school items donated by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya at Bubisa in Marsabit County on January 28, 2019. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  GRACE GITAU  &  Gitonga Marete

What you need to know:

  • Only students admitted to public boarding secondary schools will benefit from the financial aid.
  • The project will also be rolled out in counties such as Wajir, Mandera and Turkana.

At least 22,000 needy students will receive Sh400 million from the presidential bursary following its launch by Labour and Social Services Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani in Marsabit yesterday.

The Child Welfare Society of Kenya also distributed 460 bags of maize and 230 bags of beans as well as clothing and school bags to needy children.

Chiefs are responsible for identifying orphans and needy cases in their locations.

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Only students admitted to public boarding secondary schools will benefit from the financial aid.

TRANSITION

The presidential bursary also seeks to support the government’s 100 per cent transition policy to secondary school given that thousands of students are locked out due to lack of fees.

Under the programme, every constituency will receive Sh1.3 million while each student will get Sh30,000 per year.

Marsabit County will receive Sh5 million.

LITERACY

Speaking at Hon Isako Memorial Secondary School, Mr Yatani said the aid will ensure students, especially from pastoral communities in Northern Kenya, benefit in a bid to the address high illiteracy levels.

Food distribution was part of the ministry’s efforts to ensure that children who are at risk of dropping out due to drought and hunger remain in school.

More than 178,000 students who sat their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams last year have not taken up their Form One slots in the admission that ended on Friday last week.

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