Kenya Launches Ksh3 billion Scholarship Scheme for Vulnerable Children

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The Kenyan Government through the Ministry of Education has announced its first scholarship for vulnerable students proceeding to Form One.

The Programme, dubbed ‘Elimu Scholarship Programme’ which is in its initial year, targets 18,000 scholarships at a cost of Ksh3 billion funded by the Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank-funded Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (SEQIP) within a period of 2 years, will bring the total scholarships offered through the Equity Group Foundation to 35,304.

9,000 out of more than 38,000 primary school graduates who applied will benefit. 

Under the programme, vulnerable children from financially constrained backgrounds in the 110 targeted sub-counties and informal settlements in 15 urban centers who attained 280 marks and above in 2019 KCPE, were considered for the inaugural 2020 cohort of 9,000 scholars. 

For affirmative action, candidates who are Orphans and/or from Vulnerable Communities and those with special needs and disabilities who attained below 280 marks were also considered.

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha noted that the Elimu Scholarship Programme will support 18,000 learners on full four-year secondary school scholarships, selected in two cohorts of 9,000 each.

“This is perhaps the most transformative programme for education in this country because needy children now have an opportunity to get an education,” said Prof. Magoha.

The Government, through the Ministry of Education, appointed Equity Group as the implementing agency of the inaugural Elimu Scholarship, due to the success of the Wings to Fly Program.

ELIMU SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME will be run under the Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project

Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr. James Mwangi, who was also present at the event lauded the Government’s commitment in the Education sector.

“The launch today is a testament that the tried and tested Wings to Fly Program can be scaled to the national level. Last week we commissioned the 11th cohort of the Wings to Fly Program, bringing the current total to 17,304 scholarships awarded so far. The Government in just two years will have awarded 18,000 scholarships through the Elimu Programme. This truly demonstrates the Government’s commitment to creating equitable access to education,” said Dr. Mwangi.

To date, Equity Group Foundation and Mastercard with additional support from Wings to Fly partners has provided 17,304 comprehensive secondary school scholarships to bright but financially disadvantaged students under the Wings to Fly Program.

World Bank Country Representative Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Senior Education Specialist Co-Task Team Leader (SEQIP) Ruth Charo, lauded the Government’s commitment to promoting access to education.