Learners supported by Equity Foundation through their scholarship program Wings to Fly have been urged to work hard and prepare to give back to society in future by sponsoring other students.
Speaking to beneficiaries during flagging off at Equity Bank Kerugoya Branch, Kirinyaga Central Sub County Director of Education Kennedy Machora said Equity Bank and the Government of Kenya through Elimu Scholarship have invested much in sponsoring needy students to become successful citizens.
“We want to thank the bank for the scholarships. The government scholarship “Elimu Scholarship” will be out soon. We are spending a lot money on bright needy students and we are hopeful you do the same in future by helping others,” Machora said.
The education official told the students the bank and the entire Ministry staff expect nothing but excellence in performance as the scholarship will cater for everything they require in their academic journey.
He reminded the pupils of the competitiveness of the selection process and how their success has just started by being selected from over 100 applicants in the Sub County.
He advised the scholars to maintain a positive attitude and be determined in their education adding any indiscipline may lead to withdrawal of scholarship.
“You must excel in your various schools, this scholarship pays everything for you, no excuse. Your success has started by first emerging the top in the process of selection,” he said.
“We expect maximum discipline from the scholars; this should reach the parents that any form of indiscipline will lead to immediate disqualification,” Machora noted.
The education official further said that since they come from humble backgrounds, their success in education should be used as a weapon to eradicate poverty in the society.
Kerugoya Equity Bank Manager Simon Kanyingi said the selection process was fair, transparent and all factors were considered as per the set standards.
He went ahead to urge the scholars to be good ambassadors and put more effort into transforming the country.
“We had 124 applicants in Kirinyaga Central but unfortunately we only took the slots allocated to us. Equity will pay fees, buy uniforms and even transport,” he noted.
“My plea to our scholars is to be disciplined and protect our image because they were selected through a transparent process. If they also perform well in form four they will be eligible for another scholarship and internship in our institution,” Mr. Kanyingi said.
Jane Wanjiku, parent to a scholar, thanked equity for the scholarship saying that she had no means of paying school fees after her daughter performed well in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education. She has received an admission letter from Limuru Girls High School.
By Mutai Kipngetich
