Equity Group Foundation (EGF) the social arm of Equity Group Holdings, announced Friday that it would be investing Ksh 3 billion in 2020 to send at least a hundred students to global universities.
The wings to fly scholarship programme, is sponsored by MasterCard Foundation and the German government.
“This year, the program will send at least 100 Kenyan children to foreign universities at a cost of at least Ksh 3 billion for this global, scholarships,” said Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Group Foundation Chairman during the official commissioning 1136 scholars joining secondary schools under the Wings to Fly scholarship programme.
According to Dr. Mwangi, since they started the program, 82% of all beneficiaries of this program have transitioned to University. “The scholars have shown that they have only one goal; to study and perform to the very best of their abilities.”
This year marks the 11th intake since the inception of the Wings to Fly scholarship program, bringing the total number of scholars admitted to the program to 17,304. The performance of Wings to Fly scholars in Secondary schools has continued to improve. As per the 2019 KCSE results, 81.3% of the 2016 class obtained university qualifying grades compared to an 18.1% national average.
Through the program, bright but financially disadvantaged children are offered comprehensive secondary school scholarships which cover tuition, books, uniform, transport costs and pocket money. The scholars also receive mentorship and leadership training during their four-year period in secondary school to equip them with life skills that will transform them into leaders in various capacities.
Wings To Fly started in 2010, to support bright scholars from low-income families who were not able to transition to secondary school.
Due to the success of the Wings to Fly Program, Equity Group secured the Government’s competitive bid as an implementing agency for the Elimu Scholarship Programme. The Elimu Scholarship Programme is an initiative of the Government of Kenya funded by the Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank and aims to support 18,000 students within a six year period.
More than 26,000 pupils across the country, submitted applications for the Wings to Fly scholarship.
”Since the inception of this program, the government has continuously shown support. We acknowledge and thank the Government for rolling out Elimu Scholarships as more bright and deserving children will benefit. These additional scholarships have allowed us to select on a ratio of 1 for every 4 applications which is much better than the previous ratio of 1 for every 10 applications,” said Dr. Mwangi.
