County disburses Sh18.3 million bursaries

Taita Taveta, Kenya: More than half of the students, from universities and tertiary institutions, who applied for bursaries benefited from the Sh18.3 million disbursed by the county government this financial year, according to Education Fund Management Board.

While submitting a progress report to Governor John Mruttu in Wundanyi yesterday, the board's chairperson Violet Kituri disclosed that out of 1,130 students who applied for the revolving fund, 780 have benefited.

This money is part of the Sh50 million set aside this financial year to assist bright students from poor families.

Ms Kituri assured the governor only deserving students got the loans, although it was not enough for every deserving case.

"The distribution was done in an accountable and transparent manner. Orphans were given 50 per cent of the total amount applied, partial orphans 40 per cent, students of single parents 33 per cent while others got the remaining 30 per cent," she said.

Kituri at the same time said the maximum loan given to the beneficiaries was Sh60,000 while the minimum was Sh10,000.

 RISING NEEDS

"We use a certain criteria to disburse the revolving funds. The applicants must produce their birth certificates and Kenya Revenue Authority pin numbers, while the application forms must be certified by the institution's authorities," she said.

The governor announced that post primary school students will also be included in the fund so that they can advance their education, be it in youth polytechnics or secondary schools.

"The funds allocated this financial year for bursaries and loans are not enough to cater for the rising needs. The county government will in the next financial year allocate more funds to cover for more students," said Mr Mruttu.

Mruttu also pointed out that his administration had established livestock production centres in public schools and youth polytechnics to boost farming activities. Over Sh3 million will be used in the venture.