Most people when growing up were told education is the key to success. Do you still believe in that?
But what happens to those who have brains and ambitions to excel in schools and even extend their learning to higher levels but lack funds?
It is through education that children from humble backgrounds have gotten to share learning materials, classrooms and teachers with their counterparts from rich families.
And to a large extent, young Kenyans from humble backgrounds have used skills and competencies acquired through formal education to compete fairly for opportunities in post-school training and jobs market.
It is precisely for this reason that huge chunks of public revenue is spent not only on employment of teachers, purchase of education materials and to subsidise tuition fees but also to sustain education loans, scholarships and bursary schemes.
That is why we find it awkward that while serving as head of state, former president Mwai Kibaki had civil servants award scholarships worth Sh25.5 million to his two relatives.
The truth is that lack of transparency in the management and award of educational funds has served the interest of the elite more than poor households.
It is no secret that access to government scholarships and bursaries has over the years been skewed in favour of people in positions of influence and their associates. And when the funds get to the targeted group, it is always to reward loyalty, not because they are deemed poor and vulnerable.
That partly explains why nearly everyone in the hierarchy – ward representative, provincial administration, MP, Senator, Governor and the Presidency want to have direct control over education funds. This case should be used as an example of what will continue to happen if education bursaries and scholarships are left to the whims of politicians.
This discriminates parents and students especially from humble backgrounds. The right to education is denied by hungry politicians who only want to fill their pots.
This is more reason why most people are even not aware of government scholarship programs. Those aware are discouraged even before starting the application process.
This a leak somewhere.
But how can it be repaired to ensure the poor also get a share to enjoy education ?