Some 10,705 bright but needy students across the country have been awarded full scholarships by Equity Bank under wings to fly program to enable them transit to form one on Monday when school academic year begins.
Speaking during the scholarship program commissioning ceremony at Thingithu Secondary School in Nanyuki town, Equity Group Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi said the scholarships will cater for tuition fees, accommodation, transport and pocket money.
“There were 114,000 applications. I want to thank the government for introducing free day secondary school education to enable those who don’t get scholarships have an alternative and achieve their dreams,” Dr. Mwangi said adding in Laikipia county 74 bright students from humble families benefitted from the Wings to fly initiative.
Dr. Mwangi revealed that the government had last year awarded 18,000 Elimu scholarships to scale up the Wings to Fly. “The government scholarships are distributed depending on the need. There are counties which receive more because of population size. This ensures there is fairness and parity,” the Equity CEO noted.
He urged the Governor Ndiritu Muriithi administration to prioritize giving full scholarships to needy and bright students as a way of ensuring they are not left out in accessing quality education.
Laikipia Deputy Governor John Mwaniki speaking at the same event said through Amaya triangle initiative that brings together four counties of Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo in effort to address common challenges, they are committed in ensuring that young people accessed quality education in order to shun retrogressive culture practices.
“In Laikipia we have a challenge of illiteracy and it is our policy to heavily invest in education so that our young people can become productive citizens,” Mwaniki said.
Scholarship applications were opened on May 21 and concluded on May 31, 2021 by Elimu Community Scholarship Advisory Board and Wings to Fly Community Scholarship Selection Committee Board in all the 47 counties.
Candidates who continue to prove outstanding performance in secondary education will benefit up to university level and at the same time get enrolled for an internship programme at the equity bank.
By Muturi Mwangi
