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By Rodgers Omondi
Busia, Kenya: Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga has called on parents, students, and the wider community to embrace technical and vocational education, saying it holds the key to unlocking employment opportunities and equipping young people with practical skills for the future.
Speaking at St Marys Burumba secondary school during the issuance of bursary cheques worth KSh 71 million to secondary school students in Matayos Sub-county, Odanga emphasized the importance of shifting mindsets towards technical training. He noted that such institutions offer a wide range of skill-based programs that prepare learners for both formal employment and self-employment.
“Technical education is the way to go and the future of our country lies in it. We must change our attitude and understand that there are employment opportunities after undertaking such training. Students who complete Form Four and do not proceed to university should not be discouraged. They can still build successful careers through technical skills,” he said.
The MP urged parents to consider enrolling their children at Murende Technical Vocational College, describing it as a key institution in the sub-county that is already transforming lives. He revealed that the college has a population of nearly 2,000 students, with about 1,300 coming from Matayos Sub-county.
Odanga further highlighted an ongoing partnership between the NG-CDF and KCB Foundation aimed at supporting students through a matching fund program. Under the arrangement, 100 students are expected to benefit, with each party contributing equally.
“We have so far onboarded 64 students, and we are still calling on others to apply. The training takes nine months, and upon completion, beneficiaries are provided with tools to help them start their own work,” he added.
At the same time, Odanga cautioned school administrators against sending students home due to school fees, stressing that the bursary funds were meant to ease the financial burden on parents and ensure continuity in learning. He announced that all secondary school beneficiaries had received KSh 5,000 each, both within and outside the sub-county.
“The challenges you have been facing as teachers and administrators have now been addressed. I urge you to keep students in school so that they can concentrate on their studies. Let us minimize cases of sending children home,” he said.
The MP also reiterated his commitment to improving infrastructure in learning institutions across the sub-county to create a conducive environment for academic excellence. He announced that KSh 28 million has been approved for the completion of a tuition storey building at St Mary’s Burumba Secondary School, a project that was initially started by parents and the community.
Additionally, KSh 7.5 million has been allocated for the completion of a multipurpose hall at Mundika Boys High School, while KSh 6.3 million has been set aside for the completion of an administration block at Lwanya National School.
On matters of security, Odanga called on security agencies to step up their efforts in addressing insecurity in the area. He expressed concern over delayed responses and alleged laxity among some officers, warning that action would be taken against those not performing their duties effectively.
“Your responsibility is to provide security to residents. We will not tolerate officers who have stayed in one station for years without delivering results. We cannot continue losing lives when we have security personnel in place,” he said.
School heads who attended the event welcomed the bursary allocation, noting that it would significantly ease financial pressure on parents and help keep students in school.
Elizabeth Nafula, the principal of St James Nasewa Secondary School, said her institution received KSh 1.1 million, which will support over 200 students out of a population of 420.
“This funding will help many of our students remain in school. We have also requested support for the construction of dormitories for both boys and girls, especially with the ongoing developments such as affordable housing, EPZ, and CAIP projects in the area, which are likely to increase enrollment,” she said.
Domitilla Nageri, principal of Our Lady of Mercy Busia, said her school received KSh 1.2 million, which will go a long way in clearing outstanding fee balances.
“We are grateful because many day scholars will now be able to clear their fees. We have also been promised a dormitory with a capacity of 500 students to complement the existing one. This bursary is especially important in supporting the education of the girl child and securing a brighter future for them,” she said.
