All Education Funds and Bursaries to be Merged for Mandatory Free Basic Education

All Education Funds and Bursaries to be Merged for Mandatory Free Basic Education

Parliament has launched a significant initiative to merge all current education bursaries and funding sources to facilitate free and compulsory basic education in Kenya.

This move comes after a motion was presented to create an ad-hoc select committee responsible for formulating a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to support the coordinated distribution of education funds.

The motion was introduced in the National Assembly by Minority Leader Junet Mohamed (Suna East), who highlighted the inefficiencies and fragmentation affecting the current education funding system.

“Our children are suffering due to the overlap and disorganization of bursary and scholarship programs across various constituencies, counties, and national institutions. This initiative aims to ensure that education financing is transparent, efficient, and reaches the intended recipients without political or bureaucratic interference,” Mohamed stated.

The proposed select committee will conduct a thorough analysis of existing education funds at both national and county levels, identifying overlaps, inefficiencies, and gaps in funding distribution.

It will also suggest a governance and operational model for a unified National Education Fund and propose legislation to formalize the new framework.

“We need to establish a legal and institutional structure that guarantees every Kenyan child access to quality education, regardless of their economic status. Free and compulsory education should not just be a constitutional promise, but a reality,” Mohamed emphasized.

Once adopted by the house, the ad-hoc committee will have a broad range of responsibilities, including engaging key stakeholders, developing eligibility and distribution criteria, and recommending accountability measures to ensure proper fund usage.

“We are not merely forming another committee. We are laying the groundwork for a fairer, more accountable education financing system that aligns with Vision 2030 and our constitutional responsibilities,” the Suna East lawmaker remarked.

Lawmakers have advocated for the merging and consolidation of all funds and bursaries supporting underprivileged students to address the evident funding crisis in educational institutions.

The proposed reforms aim to consolidate the Higher Education and Loans Board (HELB) along with all funds, including scholarships and bursaries provided by Governors and legislators at both national and local levels.

The ad-hoc committee is expected to submit its report to Parliament within 90 days.

MPs appointed to the committee include Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya), Mary Emaase (Teso South), Stephen Mule (Matungulu), Elijah Njoroge (Gatundu North), Udgoon Siyyad (Wajir), Obara Eve (Kabondo Kasipul), and Titus Khamala (Lurambi).All Education Funds and Bursaries to be Merged for Mandatory Free Basic Education

Parliament has launched a significant initiative to merge all current education bursaries and funding sources to facilitate free and compulsory basic education in Kenya.

This move comes after a motion was presented to create an ad-hoc select committee responsible for formulating a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to support the coordinated distribution of education funds.

The motion was introduced in the National Assembly by Minority Leader Junet Mohamed (Suna East), who highlighted the inefficiencies and fragmentation affecting the current education funding system.

“Our children are suffering due to the overlap and disorganization of bursary and scholarship programs across various constituencies, counties, and national institutions. This initiative aims to ensure that education financing is transparent, efficient, and reaches the intended recipients without political or bureaucratic interference,” Mohamed stated.

The proposed select committee will conduct a thorough analysis of existing education funds at both national and county levels, identifying overlaps, inefficiencies, and gaps in funding distribution.

It will also suggest a governance and operational model for a unified National Education Fund and propose legislation to formalize the new framework.

“We need to establish a legal and institutional structure that guarantees every Kenyan child access to quality education, regardless of their economic status. Free and compulsory education should not just be a constitutional promise, but a reality,” Mohamed emphasized.

Once adopted by the house, the ad-hoc committee will have a broad range of responsibilities, including engaging key stakeholders, developing eligibility and distribution criteria, and recommending accountability measures to ensure proper fund usage.

“We are not merely forming another committee. We are laying the groundwork for a fairer, more accountable education financing system that aligns with Vision 2030 and our constitutional responsibilities,” the Suna East lawmaker remarked.

Lawmakers have advocated for the merging and consolidation of all funds and bursaries supporting underprivileged students to address the evident funding crisis in educational institutions.

The proposed reforms aim to consolidate the Higher Education and Loans Board (HELB) along with all funds, including scholarships and bursaries provided by Governors and legislators at both national and local levels.

The ad-hoc committee is expected to submit its report to Parliament within 90 days.

MPs appointed to the committee include Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya), Mary Emaase (Teso South), Stephen Mule (Matungulu), Elijah Njoroge (Gatundu North), Udgoon Siyyad (Wajir), Obara Eve (Kabondo Kasipul), and Titus Khamala (Lurambi).

Others include Charles Onchoke (Bonchari), Clive Gisairo (Kisii), Daniel Kiili (Matuga), Caroline Ngelechei (Elgeyo Marakwet), Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio), Jane Kagiri (Laikipia), Adan Keynan (Eldas), and Amina Mnyazi (Malindi).

Current Education Funding sources include the Free Education Capitation, County and Constituency Development Fund bursaries; among others.