Supporting bright and needy students is a noble idea and any measure taken to further their education is always welcome.
However, Kenya is awash with so many bursary schemes that need to be streamlined for them to be impactful and end their use as a political tool.
There are fresh concerns about multiple public bursaries giving out billions to students but which are operated in a very secretive manner.
The Public Service Commission has raised concern about a little known Sh2.5 billion Elimu Scholarship Fund run by the Ministry of Education.
Little is known about this fund and, to make it worse, how the beneficiaries are identified.
A PSC report shows that nearly half the amount went to beneficiaries from Nairobi, Garisa and Turkana.
The report also raises concern over the disparities in the amount allocated to students, with some getting Sh101,000 while other received 70,000.
The Controller of Budget has equally raised concern that governors have no role in the allocation of bursaries, a position equally held by the courts.
There is need to collapse some of the bursaries and pursue the option of giving the funds directly to schools and universities to offer subsidised education.
HISTORICAL QUOTE
“Reflect upon your present blessings
-of which every man has many - not
on your past misfortunes, of which all
men have some.”
Charles Dickens
The English novelist, journalist, short story writer and
social critic was born on February 7, 1812.
