The County Government of Uasin Gishu, through the Department of Education, has concluded preparations for the issuance of bursaries to needy students.

The cheques will be issued next week, Wednesday across the 30 wards in an exercise that will be presided by the Governor.

Speaking when he hosted members of Baringo County Assembly’s Education Committee who were in the county for benchmarking, the County Executive Committee Member for Education Anthony Sitienei revealed that each ward will get Ksh 4 million.

“We are planning to increase the allocation in the next financial year,” he added. “We are going to do it differently this time round, by going to the Ward level to enhance transparency.”

Mr Sitienei further revealed plans by the County to increase the allocation of funds for various Vocational Training College centres of excellence. This will enhance the enrollment of students to join technical and vocational training.

“We are also in the process of rolling out digital learning to PP1 and PP2 pupils in ECDE, in partnership with ICT organisations to embrace technology in learning,” the CECM said.

Chief Officer for Education, Marion Birgen, took the legislators on an overview of the department, the milk feeding program, budgetary and impacts.

Other areas covered are the ECDE teacher scheme of service, access to ECDE model centres and career structure that attract and retain suitable competent teachers among others.

The chair of the Education Committee, Baringo County Assembly, Michael Chebon on his part said “We have a lot to take back home, we have got more than what we were expecting.”

He also hailed Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii for what he termed an exceptional job in service delivery in the county.

“We are going to give recommendations to other departments to come and learn how you do things. This is a visionary county,” the Baringo MCA said.

Directors Wilson Sawe (Administration), Phyllis Lagat (Vocational Training) Assistant Director Steve Kemoi, among other officers were in attendance.