Eldoret: Some Sh800,000 allocated to four special schools in Kapchemutwa ward, Keiyo North Sub-County, has been lying idle in the county’s accounts since 2018. During the 2018/19 financial year, residents of Kapchemutwa ward allocated the funds during a public participation exercise for budgetary allocations.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Iten School for the Visually Impaired and Bugar, Mindililwo, and Kobil special schools were each to receive Sh200,000. However, for seven years, the funds remained dormant due to the absence of a law or capitation policy to release the money. Kapchemutwa MCA Stephen Cheruiyot explained that the controller of budget could not release funds without an appropriate law.

The schools finally received their cheque from the county government, marking an end to the long wait. The MCA expressed gratitude towards the assembly for passing the capitation policy, which now facilitates the disbursement of funds to schools, including ECDEs, Vocational Training Centres, and special schools.

During the cheque handover, ECD director Paul Tenoi stated that it is the county’s policy to provide educational access to all children, including those with special needs. The funds will support learner health through a school feeding programme and aid in curriculum implementation with essential materials and teacher training.

Tenoi also mentioned the recent provision of adaptive devices such as darts, balls, computers, and seats to Kobil Special School. The county ensures all ECDE centers are disability-compliant to provide a conducive learning environment.

Bugar Special School’s head teacher, Mrs. Emmy Ayabei, urged the county government to construct shelter workshops for mentally handicapped children, which she equated to laboratories in regular schools. She emphasized the importance of skills training for self-reliance and called for greater parental awareness to enroll special needs children in schools.

Charles Chemolin, chairman of Iten School for the Visually Impaired, highlighted the impact of the funds on school operations, noting that many students come from humble backgrounds and do not pay school fees. The leader of the majority also mentioned unused youth funds and plans to push the assembly to pass a law for their disbursement.