The Kenya National Union of Teachers has urged the government to consolidate all the bursary funds together before channeling them to schools.
KNUT Meru Branch Executive Secretary Caxton Miungi said the move will completely eradicate corruption in the issuance of bursaries and also ensure everyone benefits thus making education free in Kenya.
Speaking to the media in his office, Muingi called on the Ministry of Education to ensure the funds are centralized and issued to the deserving cases.
He said the school principals, chiefs, and their assistance should be used to identify the needy cases as opposed to politicians who might be prone to corruption.
“I proposed that all bursaries be consolidated together by the Education Ministry which will channel the funds directly to needy students in schools. The school principals and the provincial administration should identify the needy cases and award them.
This will work more effectively instead of the funds being given to politicians such as MPs, governors and MCAs. The politicians might give out bursaries to people who are not needy as they seek political favors,” Miungi said.
He lauded the employment of 46,000 intern teachers on permanent and pensionable terms by the government and advised those who will be left out to visit his office for proper follow-up.
“We urge any intern who will be left out to come to our offices and we will follow up to make sure he or she is employed,” he said.
The unionist said that when they were on strike, they demanded for TSC to prioritize the employment of teachers when the recruitment exercise for more teachers begins.
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On grade nine, he said during public participation on the Presidential Committee on Education, Kenyans said students should be domiciled in primary school.
“There are so many questions being asked about grade nine learners. People want to know if there are enough classrooms for grade nine students in primary schools.
I want to state that during the 8-4-4 education curriculum, some primary schools had double or triple streams. When the new curriculum came, some classes were left without being used. Others were donated to start the day secondary school wing. Primary schools have enough classes to accommodate the JSS,” Miungi said.
He said in primary schools where there are no classrooms the government will construct more.
“Alumnus in some schools have also opted to chip in and help construct laboratories for the grade nine learners,” said Miungi.
By John Majau.
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