Religious body Advocates for Consolidation of Bursary Funds
The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) in Homa Bay County has called on the government to streamline bursary distribution by consolidating all existing bursaries.
This proposal is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the disbursement process.
Concerns Over Multiple Bursary Channels
Abdul Masud, the Secretary for SUPKEM in Homa Bay County, expressed his concerns regarding the current structure of bursary disbursement, highlighting that the multiple channels available are prone to wastage of public funds. These channels include:
- Presidential Bursary: Managed by the office of the President.
- Constituency Bursary: Issued by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
- NGAAF Bursary: Distributed through the office of the Woman Representative.
- County Government Bursaries: Managed by governors, these include scholarships and bursaries for secondary school students.
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Masud argued that the existence of these various bursary channels leads to inefficiencies. Specifically, he pointed out that each office managing these bursaries forms committees whose members are entitled to allowances, further driving up costs.
Recommendations for Integration
To address the issue of financial inefficiency, Masud suggested integrating all bursary funds into a single office. He noted that the allowances paid to committee members could be redirected to enhance the overall bursary fund, thereby increasing the amount available to students in need.
“The allowances paid by bursary committees could be used to boost the bursary funds if integrated in one office,” Masud said.
Additionally, Masud highlighted that consolidating the bursary funds would reduce the likelihood of political manipulation in their allocation.
He cited instances where students were denied bursaries because their parents had not supported certain political leaders, a problem that could be mitigated through centralization.
Support from Parents
The proposal to consolidate bursary funds received backing from parents in the county. James Otieno, a concerned parent, stated that such a move would not only improve the efficiency of fund management but also ensure that deserving students receive the financial support they need.
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He reiterated that an integrated system would streamline the process, making it more effective in supporting students.
Religious body Advocates for Consolidation of Bursary Funds
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