The MasterCard Foundation and the Nairobi-based Equity Group Foundation have announced a $50 million partnership to provide secondary education scholarships and leadership training to 5,600 students in Kenya.
The initiative, Wings to Fly, was launched by the Kenyan government and will be supported by additional funding from the British Department for International Development. Scholarships awarded through the initiative will cover tuition, books, uniforms, and stipends for students who are academically gifted but economically disadvantaged, enabling them to complete their secondary education.
As a result of the country's free primary education policy, primary school enrollment in Kenya increased from 5.8 million to 8.6 million between 2003 and 2008. But because of the high cost of secondary education and the need for children from low-income households to help support their families, only 64 percent of primary students enter secondary school, and even fewer graduate. Leaving school early can have significant financial implications, as every year of secondary school for girls beyond the average translates into a 10 percent to 20 percent increase in future wages, a recent World Bank study found.
"The Wings to Fly program is helping talented young leaders achieve their potential to change Kenya's future," said Dr. James Mwangi, CEO ofEquity Bank and chairman of Equity Group Foundation. "The leadership training and mentorship will build students' self-confidence, community involvement, and new skills that will propel them well beyond their secondary school education."
No comments:
Post a Comment