By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with LINDWE DANFLOW
Published on 2024-01-19 16:43:05
More than 14,000 students who took the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education have been granted scholarships through the Elimu Bora program. The award ceremony, overseen by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, took place at Bomas in Nairobi on Friday.
Machogu revealed that a total of 95,016 individuals applied for the scholarship during the 2024 application period, out of which only 14,426, including refugees, were selected by the Ministry. “To date, the program has supported 37,574 students from underprivileged households nationwide in transitioning from primary to secondary education,” the CS stated. “The additional 14,426 scholarships being launched today means that the Government is providing hope to 52,000 students throughout the country.”
Machogu emphasized that the initiative is part of the government’s overarching objective of achieving 100 percent transition, ensuring that no child is left behind in the education system. He noted that the Elimu Scholarship program complements the Free Day Secondary Education program, which has facilitated the transition of numerous children to secondary education. The program is currently in its fifth cohort of implementation.
“Our first Elimu scholars sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Examination in 2023. Of the 9,000 scholars, 42 percent (3,780) qualified for University Education after achieving a mean Grade of C+ and above,” Machogu revealed. The rest of the scholars obtained grades that will enable them to comfortably pursue middle-level education and training colleges.
Additionally, the CS announced that all 2023 KCSE candidates who benefited from the Elimu Scholarship Program and scored mean grades of A and A- (Minus) will automatically qualify for the Equity Leadership Program. This program will provide them with work experience and leadership training within the Equity Group across the country while awaiting university admission. “During the program, students will have the opportunity to start earning Sh40,000 per month,” he added.
Machogu highlighted that this will provide the beneficiaries of the Elimu Scholarship program with the opportunity to both learn and earn.
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