Isiolo South, Kenya| A severe funding crisis is gripping secondary schools in Isiolo South Constituency, with over Ksh.20 million in bursary funds yet to be disbursed, pushing educational institutions to the brink of closure.
The prolonged delay in releasing these critical funds, intended to support needy students, has left school administrations struggling to sustain operations, raising fears of widespread disruption to learning in the region.
On Thursday, a high-stakes crisis meeting was convened at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Garbatula, bringing together school principals, the two Sub County Directors of Education, and the Sub County Parents Association Chairperson.
The gathering aimed to address the escalating financial strain threatening the survival of secondary schools across the constituency.
Education stakeholders painted a grim picture, warning that without urgent intervention, many schools may be forced to send students home, halting academic progress for hundreds of learners.
A Funding Drought Crippling Education
According to education officials, the bursary funds, managed by the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) for Isiolo South, have not been disbursed for two consecutive academic terms.
These funds are a lifeline for schools, enabling them to cover operational costs such as utilities, staff salaries, and essential supplies while ensuring access to education for students from low-income families.
“Most schools are struggling to keep their doors open. If this situation persists, we may have no choice but to send learners home,” one principal lamented during the meeting.
The principal, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, highlighted that some schools are already operating on credit, with suppliers and service providers threatening to cut off essential services.
The delay has left schools in a precarious position, unable to meet basic financial obligations.
For many institutions, the absence of bursary funds has compounded existing challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and staffing shortages, further jeopardizing the quality of education in the region.
NG-CDF Response: Clarifications Amid Controversy
In response to the mounting concerns, the Isiolo South NG-CDF office issued a statement refuting claims that the total outstanding amount exceeds Ksh.20 million.
According to a representative from the office, all dues from previous terms have been settled, and the current delay pertains solely to second-term bursaries, estimated at Ksh.16–17 million.
The office attributed the delay to logistical challenges at the national level, which have affected the timely release of funds to multiple constituencies across Kenya.
“The NG-CDF board committee is actively working to clear the outstanding balances for the second term. We understand the urgency of the matter and are committed to resolving it swiftly,” the representative assured stakeholders.
However, the explanation has done little to quell the growing frustration among school administrators and parents, who argue that the delay is already causing irreparable harm to the education sector in Isiolo South.
Fingers have been pointed to the member of parliament for Isiolo South Mohamed Tubi for politicizing the bursary and installed his political cronies and relatives in top positions of the fund leading to poor service delivery and unabated corruption within the state-funded entity.
Calls growing for his investigation by the relevant anti-graft agencies with some reports claiming that even the disbursement of bursary was being done on ethnic and clan basis leading to students from certain ethnic groups losing out on the funds.
Tubi has also been accused of meddling in other political issues within the region such as the recent failed impeachment move against Isiolo governor Guyo Abdi despite the wanton disregard of services in Isiolo South NGCDF.
In addition, Tubi’s backing of his clansman Mohamed Roba despite representing a Sakuye-majority constituency hasn’t been sitting well with most of his constituents who saw it as an ethnically-motivated support and some have since vowed not to support him in future elections while another team have even asked for his removal through popular initiative.
A Broader Issue: National-Level Disbursement Challenges
The funding crisis in Isiolo South is not an isolated issue but part of a broader challenge affecting constituencies nationwide. The NG-CDF, established to support community-driven development projects, including education, relies on timely disbursements from the national government. Delays at this level have a ripple effect, disrupting local initiatives and leaving vulnerable communities, like those in Isiolo South, to bear the brunt.
Education stakeholders in the constituency have called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of NG-CDF funds. They argue that clearer communication and faster resolution of disbursement bottlenecks could prevent crises like the one currently unfolding.
The Human Cost: Students at Risk
The impact of the bursary delay extends beyond school operations, directly affecting students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In Isiolo South, where poverty levels are high, bursaries play a critical role in ensuring access to education for vulnerable learners. Without these funds, many students risk dropping out, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting their future opportunities.
Parents, too, are feeling the strain. “We rely on these bursaries to keep our children in school,” said Halima Adan, a parent and member of the Sub County Parents Association. “If schools close, our children will suffer, and their dreams will be shattered.”
The potential closure of schools also raises concerns about increased absenteeism, child labor, and early marriages, particularly among girls in the region. Education advocates warn that the crisis could reverse hard-won gains in improving school retention rates in Isiolo South.
A Call for Urgent Action
As pressure mounts for a swift resolution, stakeholders are urging both the national government and the NG-CDF board to expedite the release of the outstanding bursary funds. The Sub County Directors of Education have appealed for emergency measures to keep schools operational while long-term solutions are sought to address systemic delays in fund disbursement.
Local leaders have also joined the chorus, calling for a collaborative effort to safeguard the future of education in Isiolo South. “Education is the backbone of our community’s development. We cannot afford to let our schools collapse due to bureaucratic delays,” said a local official who attended the crisis meeting.
Looking Ahead: Averting a Full-Blown Crisis
The situation in Isiolo South underscores the fragility of education funding systems in Kenya’s underserved regions. While the NG-CDF office has promised to clear the outstanding bursaries, the clock is ticking for schools on the verge of closure. Without immediate action, the ripple effects of this crisis could disrupt the academic calendar, jeopardize students’ futures, and erode community trust in public institutions.
For now, the stakeholders in Isiolo South remain cautiously hopeful that the promised funds will arrive before schools are forced to take drastic measures. However, the crisis serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust, reliable mechanisms to ensure timely funding for education, particularly in regions where every shilling counts.
As the constituency awaits a resolution, the fate of thousands of students hangs in the balance, with their right to education at stake in a region already grappling with significant socio-economic challenges.
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