KCB Foundation University Scholarships have opened doors for 300 new students under its Annual University Scholarship Programme, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 888 currently enrolled in various universities and colleges across the country. This latest intake marks the fourth cohort since the programme’s inception in 2021 as part of KCB’s broader education scholarship initiative. The programme is designed with inclusivity in mind, reserving 10% of the slots for persons with disabilities and 50% for girls. It prioritizes learners facing financial hardship due to factors such as orphanhood, harmful cultural practices like FGM, early motherhood, and residence in regions with high poverty levels.
KCB has invested KES. 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.
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Basic Education Principal Secretary, 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 of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). However, there is still room for public-private partnerships to bridge existing gaps and expand opportunities for all Kenyans, as we seek to drive our economy through a skilled workforce.”
On his part, KCB Group CEO, Paul Russo said: “Access to university education remains a significant challenge for many Kenyans due to the cost of studies. As such we intentionally seek out vulnerable and marginalized learners at risk of dropping out of school completely for our programme. Each of the students who join the KCB Scholars programme will secure an opportunity to make a change in society.
“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 KCB Foundation University Scholarships are inclusive of the annual mentorship to nurture the students on how to unlock opportunities within their areas of study and professional development.
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