Parents and guardians of form one and other continuing classes will heave a sigh of relief after the Education CS has said that they will not be compelled to clear school fees.
According to Education CS schools will receive the funds one week before the start of the new academic year.
“Every school will have money, before they open, the money will be in the bank by Tuesday so they have one week to plan,” Magoha said.
While speaking during the Nairobi region Annual education conference for Wings to fly and Elimu scholarships Beneficiaries professor Magoha said the government will release Sh2bn for free primary education and another Sh16.9bn for free Day Secondary Education.
He further cautioned heads of schools against sending away students with fees arrears at the start of the term which is slated to commence on April, 25.
“Nobody should send the child away from schools that they have no money to run the schools, that will be criminal, the money belongs to the government, the children belong to the government,” he said.
Also present at the conference was Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi. Mr Mwangi noted that portal is open for submission of applications for both Elimu and Equity- Wings to fly scholarships. He also revealed that prospective beneficiaries will have six days to apply for the sponsorship.
“Today we have opened the website so that kids can apply online, we will release the application forms to all the branches then we will give scholars six days to apply,” Mwangi said.
The vetting process and selection of beneficiaries will be done within two weeks to allow students transition to form one seamlessly.
A total of 1,000 bright scholars from financially challenged backgrounds will benefit from this year’s Wings to Fly Scholarship.
At the same time the Government has made available 9,000 more Elimu scholarship opportunities, out of these 4,000 beneficiaries will be drawn from the slums.