Encourage the adoption of state bursaries to guarantee equality.
In order to avoid instances of duplication that have resulted in some students being locked out while others have received overfunding, the state is considering proposals to streamline government bursaries.
Higher Education Loans Board, the nation’s funding authority for students, stated that a tracking system is required to prevent some students from receiving double funding while others are left out.
Charles Ringera, CEO of Helb, stated that the many state bursaries ought to be administered through a unified mechanism.
The Presidential Secondary School Bursary, the County Government Bursaries, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) are a few of them.
“Policy should be changed to allow for the central identification of students in need.” Presently, when they visit Helb, NGCDF, and NGAAF, you discover that some children are overfunded while others receive nothing, Ringera said lawmakers.
The head of Helb claims that the only way to end the widespread practice of double allocation in the existing system is to centrally identify students who are in need.
He was addressing about student admissions and funding during a hearing of the Education Committee of the National Assembly.
The Tinderet MP Julius Melly serves as the committee’s chair.
NGAAF, NG-CDF, and county bursaries all assist students within their own jurisdictions, while Helb provides bursaries and scholarships to financially disadvantaged students in both public and private universities and institutions.
On the other hand, the Office of the President awards financially disadvantaged high school students with the Presidential Secondary School Bursary.
Financial aid is also available to students through the Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development, Higher Education Funding, and the Presidential Bursary Scheme for Orphans and Vulnerable Students.
Students in need from low-income families and marginalized groups living in urban slums and Asal districts can apply for KISWCD.
This takes place in the context of a related endeavor by the Ministry of Education to provide bursaries and scholarships in a coordinated manner.
Among other things, the creation of a basic education scholarships and bursaries council was suggested in the draft Basic Education Scholarships and Bursaries Bill, 2024.
The idea states that the Council will be tasked with organizing bursaries and scholarships for deserving students.
The bill states that “the Council will establish criteria for identification of persons qualified for the award of scholarships and bursaries in basic education and continually develop, maintain and update a central database incorporating details of the beneficiaries, the eligibility status of each beneficiary and the amount awarded, as well as institutions or entities administering scholarships and bursaries.”
The Council will also take into account the amount of any other scholarships or bursaries that a learner may be receiving.
If a student receives more than they require, the educational institution will be notified by the school, which will then seek advice on whether to return the surplus or distribute it to another qualified recipient.
The council will also take into account the applicant’s eligibility for and the value of any other scholarships or bursaries that they may be receiving.
The National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), the Council of Governors, the principal secretaries of basic education and national treasury, or their candidates, and the president are suggested as the board’s members.
Additionally, a board member with banking experience who has been nominated by the Kenya Bankers Association is included.
Encourage the adoption of state bursaries to guarantee equality.
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