EDITORIAL: Bursaries serve politicians, not learners

All bursary funds should be pooled and used to make tuition free in every public school /FILE

Kenya’s school bursary system has lost its way. What began as support for needy learners is now inefficient and highly politicised. In many places it no longer works for students. It works for politicians.

Across the country the same learner can benefit from several bursary schemes while another gets nothing. National programmes, county funds and NG-CDF often overlap. There is little coordination and payments come late. Amounts change without explanation. Parents are forced to queue and plead for help that should never require permission.

This system should be scrapped.

All bursary funds should be pooled and used to make tuition free in every public school. Schools should receive funding directly from the national government based on enrolment and clear criteria. This approach is simpler and fairer. It is also easier to audit.

In boarding schools parents should pay only for accommodation and food. In day schools parents should pay only for lunch and minor agreed costs. Tuition should not depend on politics or geography but should be guaranteed.

Free tuition would remove education from political bargaining. It would restore dignity to parents. It would also allow schools to plan properly and focus on learning instead of chasing cheques.

Education is a public good. It must be funded openly and predictably. Kenya should stop relying on fragmented bursaries and commit to a system that treats learning as a right, not a political tool.