Mathioya: Mathioya MP, Edwin Mugo, has revealed that members of the National Assembly are actively pursuing adequate funding for school capitation to ensure timely disbursements, aiming to protect school properties from being auctioned by suppliers. Mugo highlighted the challenges faced by school principals due to delays in capitation funds, which have led to dilemmas and forced some students to be sent home for fees.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mugo attributed the delays to a misalignment between the national budget and revenue collection by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). He pointed out that while Parliament allocates funds for capitation in the budget, the KRA often falls short in revenue collection, causing delayed disbursements. Speaking at Kiambuthia Secondary School, where he issued local NG-CDF bursaries, Mugo stressed that a significant portion of collected revenue is currently directed towards debt repayment, putting a strain on allocations to vital sectors like education.
Mugo assured residents that despite these challenges, education remains a top national priority, with nearly Sh800 billion allocated to the sector in the recently proposed national budget. He committed to advocating for the timely release of capitation to alleviate the financial burden faced by schools due to pending bills.
During the event, Mugo distributed bursaries totaling Sh64 million to day scholars, boarders, and students pursuing various courses in tertiary institutions. He noted an improvement in bursary allocations, with each student from day secondary schools receiving Sh5,000, totaling Sh15 million for day scholars. Additionally, 2,400 students in boarding secondary schools were each allocated Sh8,000, amounting to Sh19 million.
The MP highlighted the allocation of Sh10,000 bursaries to about 890 children with disabilities and full scholarships for 650 bright students from poor backgrounds. He mentioned the automation of bursary distribution, which channels funds directly to schools, with parents receiving SMS notifications once the money is credited.
Furthermore, Sh15 million was allocated for the renovation of six primary schools, with each school receiving Sh2.2 million. Mugo emphasized the goal of providing conducive learning infrastructure by installing tiles in all public primary schools. The legislator also commissioned a Sh4.5 million dining hall for Kiambuthia Secondary School, noting that previously, students had to have lunch under trees.