Kakamega Women Representative Elsie Muhanda has appealed to the national government to release school capitation in full and on time. Muhanda said delays in the release of funds would in the long run negatively affect the quality of education across the country as many schools were grappling with many financial challenges. The women representative said most schools were struggling with debts due to high operation costs and delayed remittance of capitation. She made the appeal at Munyuki primary school, in Lumakanda ward, Lugari constituency, during the school's Annual General Meeting. 'I want to plead with the national government. Right now it has not disbursed funds to schools. My question is: How will the learners study? How will the teachers run the schools without capitation? Let the government release funds urgently to assist our people,' she said. On the issue of teenage pregnancies, Muhanda said her office is determined to ensure the teen mothers who dropped out of school due to pregnancy are supp orted and re-integrated to schools to complete their studies. The MP said the teen mothers were not solely to blame for the early pregnancies hence they should be supported and taken back to school. She disclosed that 30 teen mothers who went back to school and sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination last year scored good grades and were set to join university. Lumakanda Member of County Assembly Bernard Mulama urged parents not to spend their money in constructing school structures as they have elected leaders. 'I am pleading with you parents; you elected us to represent you; don't spend money from your pocket to construct classrooms yet there is government money for that purpose. Spend your money to pay school fees and cater for other school requirements for your children,' he stated. Lugari constituency manager Rajab Mukolwe who represented the area Member of Parliament Nabii Nabwera defended the recent scholarship award to over 400 students across the constituency saying they were based on beneficiaries' academic performance and not ethinicity. Source: Kenya News Agency Farm Radio, an enterprise, using the power of radio to project societal issues, has organised a Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) quiz competition for some technical institutes within the Western Region. The quiz competition, which centred on theory and practical aspects of Electricals, Auto Mechanics, Welding and Fabrication saw the Takoradi Technical Institute, Essipon; Sekondi/Takoradi and the Opportunity Industrialisation Training Centre and the Kwansa Motors Institutes competing. Ms Rosetta Atiso, the Project Officer, Farm Radio International said, the TVET Quiz competition was conceptualized to increase awareness of the sector and the need for more youth particularly the girl child to take advantage of such technical and vocational courses to better their lots. 'We want to change perceptions about TVET and also increase girls' participation in the area as well as boosting the confidence level of students in Technical Institute,' she added. After the competition, the Sekondi/Takora di Technical Institute won the Auto mechanic session with 127 points, Opportunity Industrialization Training Institute took the electrical prize with 100.5 points while, and Takoradi Technical Institute emerged as the winner in the Welding and Fabrication contest with 111 points. Rahmat Issah Fynn, a Contestant was happy that such initiatives had been introduced to shed light on the TVET sector for the overall benefit of society. Mr. Richard Goddard, a Volunteer with Farm Radio and Journalist from Canada expressed satisfaction about the passion exhibited by the students…' please hold on to it and ensure higher excellence in future endeavours.' Source: Ghana News Agency
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