Bright students in Kenya who are orphans and greatly disadvantaged stand to benefit from a new national scholarship program launched Monday.
The new partnership between the Equity Group Foundation and the MasterCard Foundation will enable top performers in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) who cannot afford an education to get a full scholarship that pays for their secondary school education.
Most of the scholarship recipients are orphans and vulnerable children who excelled in the 2009 KCPE and were in the top 5 percentile in their district.
A boy and a girl from each of the 83 districts where Equity Bank operates were identified after a transparent and rigorous vetting process at the district levels.
District selection committees were formed to ensure that the most needy were chosen.
The committees included representation from the Provincial Administration, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Services, religious leaders, and constituency development representation among others.
The program will provide comprehensive scholarships to 332 academically gifted yet financially disadvantaged students, enabling them to complete secondary school in Kenya.
The program will also provide leadership development, career guidance and mentoring to an additional 344 secondary school students.
EGF will identify an equal number of male and female primary school students to participate in the program.
The launch of the partnership in Nairobi was presided over by Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Equity Bank CEO and Chairman of Equity Group Foundation (EGF), Dr James Mwangi said many bright but needy students in Kenya are unable to continue with their education after completing primary school because of lack of financial support.
“EGF’s partnership with the MasterCard Foundation aims to change the circumstances of these young people by ensuring their future is not a continuation of their past. By focusing on disadvantaged Kenyan children, we wish to create an equitable society in our country where equal opportunities are availed to all, irrespective of their circumstances. Innocent children should not be prisoners of the circumstances of their parents. Society must be able to take care of its own,” Dr Mwangi said.
He noted that in addition to providing the financial support to the students, this program will develop the next generation of leaders through leadership and social transformation sessions.
They will also benefit from the direct mentorship opportunities offered by the highly successful ongoing Equity Bank Sponsored Pre-University students.
“All young people deserve an opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the MasterCard Foundation. “We are proud to partner with EGF to enable students in Kenya to complete secondary school. EGF has the national scale, reach and financial systems to ensure this program benefits young people. ”
The Prime Minister said the MasterCard Foundation-Equity Group Foundation partnership is a smart and effective way of ensuring that more Kenyan children are not left behind in their pursuit for education and a better tomorrow.
Moreover, this initiative is aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030 to support equitable access to education.
He called on all national and international stakeholders, and Kenyan citizens to join with both foundations to serve even more needy bright children.
In Kenya, just 64 percent of primary students enter secondary school and even fewer graduate. The low enrollment and completion rates are attributed to the cost of education; lack of access to schools, particularly in rural areas; and the need for poor youth to work to contribute to the household income.
A recent World Bank report confirmed that financing mechanisms such as scholarships are key to retaining youth, especially girls, in secondary school.
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