KCB has set aside Sh700 million towards supporting the 16th cohort through secondary school and tertiary education. This will cater for tuition fees for the four years of secondary school, tuition fees for tertiary education, as well as the uniforms, transport, set books, and regular mentorship and psychosocial support throughout all four years of secondary school.
The 2023 scholarship will see 1,000 students join various secondary schools across the country from next week, bringing the total number of sponsored students to 4,558. Two hundred twenty students from Western Kenya are part of the 2023 class.
Established in 2007 to implement the lender’s corporate social investments, the programme targets bright students from underprivileged backgrounds, with 100 slots allocated to persons with disabilities, and 500 slots to girls.
“We intentionally seek out vulnerable and marginalized learners at risk of dropping out of school completely. This includes learners facing difficulties from orphanhood, disability or harmful cultural practices as well as gender or disability and areas with high poverty indexes,” the lenders Human Resource Director Japheth Achola said during the commissioning ceremony.
Upon completion of their high school learning, all the 1,000 students will benefit from 100% school-fees support through the KCB tertiary scholarship programme.
They will also receive a 3-month apprenticeship programme at KCB branches across the country to get first-hand work experience before joining institutions of higher learning under the KCB education scholarship cover.
“Our commitment stems from our strong belief that every child’s right to access quality education is a powerful tool of transformation in society. We have also incorporated a wholesome psycho-social support system to ensure the students receive mentorship and guidance, so they have relevant coping skills applicable to this dynamic, fast-paced world,” Mr. Achola said.