At least 7,000 students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Lamu County have received Sh60 million in fees bursaries from the county government.
Speaking while issuing the cheques at Mwana Arafa Hotel in Lamu town on Wednesday, Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud who is also the county executive for Education said they have increased the annual bursary allocation from Sh60 million to Sh120 million.
Mr Aboud said the Sh60 million issued will pay fee arrears, mostly for students in 457 secondary schools within Lamu and others studying outside the county.
FEES ARREARS
He also said part of the money will be used to clear fee arrears for 303 students doing major courses in universities outside Lamu.
On average, every student in boarding school within Lamu received Sh10,000 while those in day schools were allocated Sh6,000 each.
Students in national schools within Lamu County including those in Mpeketoni and Lamu Girls secondary schools were given Sh43,000 each while those in national schools outside Lamu were given Sh53,000 each.
Mr Aboud said the county plans to issue another Sh30 million to cater fees for students in colleges, universities and other technical institutions both within and outside Lamu by September this year.
“Today, we are issuing Sh60 million bursary mostly to our secondary school students. The money will immediately be channelled to bank accounts of the respective schools which benefited from this allocation so that students in those institutions can learn.
“We hope to issue another Sh30 million to cater fees for students in tertiary institutions by September this year. I am aware that some parents are poor and that is the reason why the county government is prioritising education here,” said Mr Aboud.
RETAIN STUDENTS
The deputy governor said their target as a county government is to ensure no student in Lamu will miss education due to lack of school fees.
He called on school heads in the county not to send students home because of lack of fees.
His sentiments were echoed by County Education Chief Officer Shee Sagara who accused some school principals of playing politics with the education of students from Lamu.
He appealed to the school heads to respect pledges made by the county government on fees payment.
“We have been issuing millions of shillings to clear fees for students in various schools here in Lamu. Unfortunately, some headteachers continue the notorious habit of sending home students for fees without the slightest consideration to efforts being made by both the county government and even the parent to ensure students stay in school. That should stop,” said Mr Sagara.
He said the county government is committed to ensuring standards of education in Lamu are improved and called on students to maintain discipline and work hard in their studies.