By Faith Anene, Luanda

More than 12,000 learners from Luanda Constituency have received bursary support totaling KSh60 million, in a major education boost led by area Member of Parliament Dick Maungu.

Speaking during the official disbursement ceremony at Kayila Primary School in Luanda South on May 02, Maungu announced that all the 12,422 applicants across various levels of education benefited from the bursary.

The funds were distributed among students in day and boarding secondary schools, colleges, TVET institutions, and universities.

“This bursary is a lifeline to thousands of families. We made sure that every single applicant got support, because no child in Luanda should be locked out of school due to lack of fees,” said Maungu.

According to the MP, 7,544 day scholars received KSh4, 500 each, amounting to KSh33.948 million. A total of 2,134 boarding students were given KSh5, 000 each, translating to KSh10.767 million.

College and TVET students, numbering 1,380, also received KSh5, 000 each, totaling KSh6.9 million. University students, 1,364 in number, were allocated Ksh6, 000 each, adding up to KSh8.184 million.

Four schools to receive buses

During the event, Maungu revealed plans to issue out four secondary schools with buses by the end of the year.

The beneficiaries are Khwiliba Secondary in Luanda South Ward, Mumboha Secondary in Luanda Township Ward, Essong’olo Secondary in Wemilabi Ward, and Esiandumba Secondary in Mwibona Ward.

“We have made a deliberate effort to support mobility for schools. A school bus is more than just transport, it’s about access, safety, and dignity for our learners,” Maungu stated. “By 2027, I will have delivered at least seven buses to various schools across Luanda Constituency.”

MP calls out Treasury, Education ministers over capitation delays

Maungu also used the platform to criticise Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and his Education counterpart Migos Ogamba for what he termed as continued failure to release capitation funds on time.

“The government is supposed to release KSh22, 000 annually per student as capitation. Last term, only KSh8, 000 was released instead of KSh11, 000, and this term, not a single coin has been disbursed,” said Maungu. “CS Mbadi is doing great injustice to our schools. How are they expected to operate without funds?”

Maungu, who was accompanied by Luanda South MCA Kelvin Mwangu, nominated MCAs Truphena Anyolo and Caro Angote, as well as officials from the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), said the delay in releasing capitation funds was crippling operations in public schools.

He said school heads are being forced to send students home or operate in debt, which undermines the quality of education.

“Schools are struggling to pay support staff, settle utility bills, and feed students. This is not just poor planning, it is negligence. The government must prioritise the education of our children if we are to secure the country’s future,” he said.

Turning to recent calls for the disbandment of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), Maungu came out strongly in its defence, warning against attempts to scrap it.

“CDF is not money for MPs. It belongs to the Kenyan people, taxpayers whose children depend on it for school fees, development, and dignity,” Maungu said. “We have told CS Mbadi clearly, we won’t allow it to be scrapped.”

He further announced that public participation forums on the future of the NG-CDF will be held nationwide starting next week and asked Kenyans to come out in large numbers to give their views.

TSC promotions under scrutiny

As a sitting member of the National Assembly’s Education Committee, the MP also questioned the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over recent teacher promotions, which he said were skewed and unfair.

“We approved KSh1 billion for promotions, but many of the beneficiaries did not merit them. Why promote someone through three or four grades in two years?” he posed. “What about the teachers nearing retirement who’ve served for decades? Can we promote them so they retire with dignity?”

Maungu added that only merit-based, fair promotions could create equity in the education sector.

“We can only have fairness in education if promotions are done according to the law, not favoritism,” he said.

The MP reaffirmed his commitment to championing education, transparency, and equitable development in Luanda, saying education remains at the heart of his leadership agenda.