By Cally Imbai
Parents from needy backgrounds in Kakamega County and had their children sit for KCPE this year have been urged to apply for the Equity Bank Wings to Fly Scholarship and the Elimu scholarship program.
Denis Volemi, one of the Equity group directors said the Equity foundation has two programs namely Wings to fly and Elimu scholarship programs for which learners who qualify can apply.
Volemi was speaking during the closing ceremony of the 12th annual Equity education and leadership congress at Kakamega high school.
“The pupils who attain 350 marks can apply for the wings to fly program and those with 280 and above do qualify for the Elimu scholarship program which is in partnership with the government of Kenya and is sponsored by the World Bank.” Volemi said
Equity Group is sponsoring 2, 000 Wings to Fly scholars for 2022/2023 Form One selection cycles at a cost of Ksh. 2 billion for their entire secondary school education.
He added that they have got limited slots and so they have to take the neediest and those that are academically gifted.
“The process of selection is starting this week, with the community county level selection boards beginning to go through the applications and visiting the homes to validate that the children are both bright and needy” He said
The director also said this year the Wings to Fly will be sponsoring 2000 students whereas the Elimu program will be sponsoring 5000 learners and that in case other partners join in the noble course the numbers may rise to over 8000 scholarships.
Kakamega County Director of Education, Dickson Ogonya who officiated the closing ceremony of the congress said at the county level they were optimistic that through partnerships and support from various sectors in the government and private entities every child can have access to quality education, mentorship and training.
“We thank Equity Group Foundation for championing this agenda and for their continuous support through the Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship program.” He said
The congress is organized by Equity group and Equity foundation with the purpose of bringing together equity scholars being sponsored through Equity group foundation and Wings to fly program to support, give mentorship and guidance for the scholars to succeed.
The Annual Leadership Congress was decentralized this year owing to the large number of scholars as the program has continued to expand and extend full secondary scholarships to more deserving children.
The Kakamega region hosted 1,259 scholars drawn from across the county including 691 girls and 568 boys who are currently pursuing their secondary education on full scholarships
This year’s Congress was themed Self-Drive: The Key to Lifetime Transformation.
