Kilifi gubernatorial candidate on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket Gideon Mung’aro has assured teachers who wants to persue further studies will be considered for burseries when he is elected the next governor for Kilifi County.
Speaking at Tumaini Hall in Shariani, Junju ward in Kilifi South constituency when he met more than 500 teachers drawn from the region, Mr Mung’aro said many teachers are parents and have been burdened by the fees of their children even though they would want to advance their knowledge.
“I know besides being teachers, you are parents and most of you strive to pay for your children school fees even though you would want to also persue further studies to cement your future. Now my adminstration having considered your plight, will make some amendments in the currently county scholarship act to enable you as teachers to also benefit from the bursaries. If this happens, then it will off-load some of the hindrances to advance your education,” he said.
At the moment, the county allocates a total of Sh350 million in every financial year to pay secondary school fees for brightly and need students and also give bursaries to students learning in different tertiary institutions. The act is silent on how adult people seeking to persue further studies can be funded through the same kitty.
With an allocation of Sh10 million per year in each of the 35 wards, the funds have not been able to meet the increasing demands caused by the swearing number of students seeking the kitty to be assisted.
“The challenge with these funds is that it is not enough since we continue to record huge numbers of students seeking these funds. So we shall also amend the act and double the current from Sh10 million to Sh20 million per year. That will mean that the number of students aimed at benefiting from the funds is realised,” Mr Mung’aro added.
The former lands CAS who wants to take over from Governor Amason Kingi promised more goodies to teachers by forming a housing scheme that will run in partnership with financial institutions to enable Kilifi teachers get mortgages to buy houses.
“You have been overlooked by the past regime despite the huge role you play in the development of education in Kilifi County. I will make sure that we have a housing scheme for our teachers where you will be able to access mortgages through the support of the devolved government. That is one of big agenda,” he said.
He said his decision to for a teacher as a running mate was driven by the fact that it is through education that empowerment of the people can be easened through education.
“My running mate is Flora Chibule, is a teacher by profession and who will head the education department once we get into office. With her expertise then we will be able to meet all the demands in that sector,” he said.
Mr Mung’aro was accompanied by Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, Kilifi County Women Representative Getrude Mbeyu, Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) national executive council member at the Coast region Mr Ali Nganga on behalf of the teachers gave a raft of demands to Mr Mung’aro some which sought teachers to be included in various decision making boards and departments within the county government.
“As teachers, we also play a crucial role in the development of the county. Most of us are parents and we have also been forging ahead to further our studies. But the biggest hindrance to this is lack of money to fulfill this since we also have our children at school. We also need to be considered for burseries among other incentives to realise our dreams. Again we have the expertise in different field of specialization so you can employ one of us in your county executive,” he added.
Mr Mung’aro assured them of his total commitment to their demands adding that he worked with teachers even when he was still an MP both in Malindi and later Kilifi North constituencies.
“When I served as an MP both in Malindi and in Kilifi North, at one time o bought a bus for teachers to assist them with transport in their day to day engagements. Some of the teachers worked in the NG-CDF board and we delivered to the people. I will do the same when I am elected the next governor of this County next month,” he said.
Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga who was available promised to have teachers onboard in the NG-CDF saying that they play a pivot role in the development of education.
“The former chairman of NG-CDF the late Mr Tinga was a teacher and he worked so well in administration of the funds that resulted in many projects being undertaken to benefit the people. I will work together with you for the same realisation,” he said.
Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo asked teachers to vote in the Azimio government as the only way to have their issues addressed immediately.
“This is the winning team and all the demands here shall only be fulfilled if you vote for the Azimio team starting from our President Raila Odinga and flowing down to Governor Mung’aro and the rest of the ODM team,” said Mr Madzayo.
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