- The bursary distribution saw Ksh 25.8 million allocated to 5,176 students in secondary schools.
- Meanwhile, in Teso North Constituency, over 8,000 students were awarded a total of Ksh 73.6 million in bursaries.
- Additional Ksh 1 million supported 250 students from special learning institutions.
By Joannes Achero
Several students in different parts of Busia County can now breathe a sigh of relief after two legislators donated funds to the tune of Ksh 91.6 million to help them further their education.
Over 5000 students in Budalangi and Teso north constituencies were among the beneficiaries as the Members of Parliament (MP) released the funds for the fiscal year 2023-2024.
Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, a seasoned educator, narrated the power of education, thus his keen interest in the sector as a policymaker.
Addressing the congregants during the issuance of the bursaries, Wanjala took to the stage an assurance and affirmation that education was the only equalizer in life and the key to a better future.
He further highlighted the commitment of the Budalangi NG-CDF committee, assuring the students that the committee has unanimously agreed to dedicate a significant portion of the NG-CDF kitty towards education each year, which will ensure continued support for needy students.
In the 2022–23 financial year, the NG-CDF allocated a substantial Ksh 33 million for bursaries.
This included Ksh 22.5 million specifically for secondary schools, and an additional Ksh 9 million was directed to tertiary institutions.
Most notably, the bursary allocation committee reserved Ksh one million to support students enrolling in vocational and technical training institutions, both within and outside their home counties.
However, the Budalangi Constituency wasn’t the only one prioritizing education.
In Busia’s far North, Teso North Constituency, over 8,000 students were awarded a total of Ksh 73.6 million in bursaries.
This program encompassed students from both secondary and tertiary institutions, including those attending schools within and outside the constituency.
Highlighting the transformative power of education, Teso North MP Oku Kaunya emphasized its role in shaping students’ futures and being the most valuable investment parents can make in their children’s lives.
The bursary distribution saw Ksh 25.8 million allocated to 5,176 students in secondary schools, while an additional Ksh 1 million supported 250 students from special learning institutions within the constituency—a demonstration of a well-rounded approach to educational investment in Teso North.
This commitment is reflected in the significant allocation of NG-CDF resources towards education across the constituency, ensuring a brighter future for students in Budalangi and Teso North
Classroom expansion and upgrade
The focus on education goes beyond financial aid. Recognizing the need for increased school capacity, particularly at the secondary level, the MP is also championing the construction of new learning institutions to ease the pressure on the already existing ones.
This initiative will also address the current shortage of secondary schools, a situation that has forced many students to travel to neighbouring Siaya County for secondary education.
New secondary schools like Peter Habenga Okondo High School, Sisenye Mixed Secondary School, and St. Triza Girls Secondary School are some of the recent projects earmarked by the Budalangi NG-CDF committee for the expansion program.
Case study
Bunyala Model Secondary School, once on the brink of closure due to dwindling student enrollment, is currently experiencing a much-needed revival.
This positive change comes courtesy of Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala and his commitment to education. The school, nestled in a favourable learning environment below the famed Wanga Hill in Bunyala North, had seen its academic glory fade.
Recognizing this, Wanjala, through the education bursary committee, stepped in with a strategic plan to breathe new life into the Bunyala Model.
With a turnaround bursary program valued at Ksh 18 million, the initiative was wired to directly support 180 students in need, with each receiving a full year’s tuition of Ksh 10,000.
The financial aid significantly reduced the burden on students and their families, making quality education at Bunyala Model a more accessible reality.
This program’s impact was even clearer as Angela Magero, the school principal, expressed her sincere gratitude on behalf of the school board.
She acknowledged Wanjala’s “generous gesture” and its potential to significantly improve academic performance at Bunyala Model.
On the recipient’s side, Newton Mwanikha, a 28-year-old from Ugadi village, exemplifies the positive impact of the Budalangi NG-CDF bursary program.
Despite financial hardships that forced him to miss school on several occasions, Mwanikha excelled academically, scoring top marks in his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams.
This earned him admission to Sigalame Boys High School. His determination shone despite the numerous challenges he faced, as he achieved a C in his final Kenya Certificate of Secondary School examinations.
The bursary program proved to be a turning point, allowing him to pursue his education at Bunyala Technical and Vocational Training Institution.
It’s here that he embraced the opportunity to gain practical skills in agriculture, a field he now complements with subsistence farming to support himself.
Newton’s story is a testament to how the bursary program empowers students to overcome obstacles and achieve success, even beyond traditional academic paths.
Mwanikha’s story exemplifies the program’s reach beyond academics. Despite the low turnout in terms of population, Newton highlights the valuable skills he gained at Bunyala Technical and Vocational Training Institution.
Through an agricultural course he undertook at the institution, he can now supplement his income through subsistence farming. This practical application of his education underscores the program’s well-rounded approach.
The bursary program’s impact extends to students like Daisy Rachel as well.
Forced to drop out due to financial constraints, this young woman received a lifeline through the Ksh 10,000 bursary.
Everlyne Sakwa, Daisy’s guardian, expressed her sincere gratitude to the Budalangi NG-CDF bursary allocation committee for enabling Daisy to return to Bunyala Model Secondary School and continue her education.
These contrasting experiences showcase how the program empowers students with diverse needs and backgrounds.
Wanjala’s investment in Bunyala Model Secondary School exemplifies his dedication to educational equity and opportunity.
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By making quality education more attainable, he is empowering students and paving the way for a brighter future for the school’s academic standing.
Budalangi Constituency is making significant strides in education, thanks to a multi-pronged approach supported by the NG-CDF bursary program.
Together with the construction of new secondary schools and a timely response to the Ministry of Education’s goal of 100% student transition, the local MP is on a path to ensuring all students can continue their education further after the basic primary school.
