The County government of Bungoma will vet the fifth cohort of scholarship afresh and reduce the numbers, Education CEC Dr. David Wamamili has said.
Dr. Wamamili said the decision to increase the numbers from 2000 to 8000 by the last regime was politically instigated during elections and not sustainable.
Addressing the press in his office, he said even the County government then, did not have a budget for the same and never remitted money to the schools.
He pointed out that most of those in the beneficiary list were children of rich parents and they will be vetted to reduce the last cohort to 3000.
On the other hand, this year the County government will sponsor the education of 675 on the scholarship program.
He revealed that each ward will produce 15 bright but needy students in each of the 45 wards in the County.
The CEC noted that only bright and needy students with 350 marks and above will qualify.
The other needy cases will receive bursaries disbursed to wards with each ward receiving 4 million shillings totaling to 180 million across the County.
Education Chief Officer George Kombo pointed out that the 8,000 is an unsustainable and will be cut to fit the current economy.
“Double beneficiaries, able parents, County staff, indiscipline students, will be removed from the scholarship list ,” he said.
He added that the County education policy allows the County government to do so especially after being found not fit to get scholarship.
