Bondo MP Dr Gideon Ochanda has committed to paying Sh10,000 annually for all secondary day school students in the Constituency to cater for their lunch.
Speaking during the launch of the programme at Got Abiero Secondary School, Ochanda said that besides alleviating the burden of payment for parents and guardians, the move will ensure the students are kept in school to focus on their studies.
He said that a total of 16,000 students from the 33-day schools and those in mixed day and boarding schools have been catered for to improve the academic performance.
Currently, parents have to pay an average of Sh15,000 annually for day school students, money that mainly is earmarked for their meals in school.
He urged the benefiting parents to ensure they pay the remaining Sh5000 annually, which translates to Sh1700 per term, so that their children are not sent away.
“I have taken care of the biggest part of the payment, which most of our parents with children in day schools could not afford. The remaining part is now on your side to ensure you pay Sh1700 per term so that your children are not sent away for the levy,” he said.
The legislator disclosed that needy students in boarding schools from the region have not been forgotten and added that they too will continue receiving bursary support as they have been receiving.
“The focus on the day school students does not mean I have neglected the needy cases who are in boarding schools. I have about 4,000 students in boarding schools who benefit from the NGCDF kitty, and they will continue receiving support according to their needs,” Ochanda said.
He affirmed that the focus on day secondary schools in the region was informed by the cases of absenteeism in schools and time spent on the road as students go back for lunch, which impacted their performance.
Ochanda stated that ensuring the students have lunch in school will avert rising cases of early pregnancies among girls in day schools in the region, as it would reduce interactions between the students and sex predators.
By Brian Ondeng