KCB Foundation has flagged off 300 students into its Annual University Scholarship Programme. The students join 588 others under the programme studying at different universities and colleges across the country.
KCB has invested KShs. 100 million towards supporting these students all through the duration of the course they have qualified for at Kenyan universities, colleges, technical or vocational training institutions. This will cater for tuition fees for the entire course, and regular mentorship for psychosocial support throughout the period of study.
The students make the fourth cohort of the programme which was piloted in 2021 under KCB’s annual education scholarship initiative. Under the programme, 10% of the opportunities are allocated to people with disability and 50% slots for girls. This includes learners facing financial difficulties due to orphanhood, harmful cultural practices such as FGM, teenage mothers as well as students from areas with high poverty indexes.
Basic Education Principal Secretary, Amb. Prof Julius Bitok noted: “We have made significant strides through initiatives such as the 100% Transition Policy from primary to secondary school, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which emphasizes skills development and holistic learning, and the continued support to University and TVET education through the school centered model.Through the new university funding model, the government has spent more than KSh. 40B on first- and second-year students both in private and public universities.”
“Public-private and private partnerships are essential to bridge existing gaps and expand opportunities especially when it comes to providing the necessary resources for these schools.” Added Prof Bitok.
On his part, KCB Group CEO, Paul Russo said: “It is important note that we have so far supported 5,755 students, with 3,500 actively pursuing their education in various high schools countrywide. When we break down the 5,755 students – these are 5,013 bright vulnerable, financially at-risk of dropping out of school, 454 Persons Living with Disability,104 teenage mothers,134 FGM champions, and 47 talented athletic students.”
“Our commitment stems from our strong belief that it is every child’s right to access quality education given the crucial role it plays in shaping the societal economic prospects. By prioritizing education as a strategy for economic emancipation, KCB is helping to address societal challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and marginalization of underprivileged groups,” added Russo.
The university scholarship is inclusive of the annual mentorship to nurture the students on how to unlock opportunities within their areas of study and professional development.
