1,000 top performers in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) who are academically gifted but financially challenged and who are drawn from every part of Kenya, have been awarded comprehensive four-year secondary school scholarships under Equity Group Foundation’s (EGF) Wings to Fly program.
These high-achieving scholars have been commissioned following an intensive 2-day induction and training program held at Pangani Girls’ High School in Nairobi, during which they learn what to expect in high school, reading and studying methods and expectations including their school performance as well as an in-depth orientation of Equity Group’s Academic Policy and Code of Conduct. This latest cohort brings the total number of beneficiaries from EGF and its partners to 60,009 secondary scholarships to date. The Wings to Fly program boasts a remarkable track record, with an average secondary school completion rate of 97% since inception with 82% of graduating students achieving university entry grades, demonstrating the program’s commitment to academic excellence.
The Wings to Fly program was established by Equity Group Foundation in partnership with Mastercard Foundation and with support from the German Government through KfW, USAID, UKAID, alongside other partners including individual benefactors. The program provides comprehensive secondary school scholarships to academically gifted yet economically disadvantaged and vulnerable students from all over Kenya.
In addition to the scholarships, the beneficiaries also receive revision books, school uniforms, transportation to their respective schools, pocket money, and scheduled mentorship and leadership training sessions. This holistic approach ensures that the scholars are well-equipped for academic success and develop into well-rounded individuals.
Speaking at the commissioning event, Education Cabinet Secretary Hon. Ezekiel Machogu represented by Elijah Mungai, Director of Projects Coordination, State Department of Basic Education said, “This initiative is proof that well-structured public – private partnerships can make significant contribution to Kenya’s social and economic agenda. I call upon other corporates of goodwill to step up to the challenge of helping the country address its socio-economic limitations and bring us closer to achieving the ideals crafted under vision 2030”.
Addressing the new cohort of scholars, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr. James Mwangi said, “This scholarship is not just a ticket to academic excellence but a gateway to your dreams. This program is about giving you an opportunity to change your circumstances. The comprehensive scholarship will take care of all that you will need to succeed in the next four years of your secondary school education.”
H.E. Hon. Johnson Sakaja, Governor of Nairobi County further added “This program has transformed the lives and prospects of thousands of young Kenyans from across the country. The scholars being commissioned today have shown that they can make use of the talents they received. They have seen wonderful examples from scholars who went before them, and it is now up to them to ensure that their future is not determined by their backgrounds” he further added “I would like to appreciate the vision and diligence of Equity Bank in creating a scholarship program that targets bright children from financially challenging backgrounds. This vision to take scholars from across the country and support them through education is transformative.”
Mr. Oskar von Maltzan the KfW Development Bank Country Director, also acknowledged the impact of Wings to Fly program, stating,” We are proud to be associated with this program, and it is great to see the successes that have come over the years. KfW has financed about 5,000 Wings to Fly scholarships for secondary schools and vocational training, to a tune of KES. 4 billion of grant funds from Germany Government. We are not doing this alone; we are working with the Ministry of Education and Government of Kenya and happy that in Equity Group Foundation we have found a partner who puts to use well these funds in promoting young people who are academically gifted but from financially challenged background to move ahead and have a future.”
The selection process for the Wings to Fly scholarships is both rigorous and transparent, involving community-based verification and monitoring. Members of the Community Scholarship Selection Boards (CSSBs) across the country diligently review applications, conduct face-to-face interviews, and make home visits. This thorough process ensures that scholarships are awarded to the most deserving scholars, thereby maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the program.
The Wings to Fly scholarship program offers top performers a pathway into the prestigious Equity Leaders Program (ELP). Upon completing high school, these scholars transition into the ELP. Since its inception, the program has facilitated 18,735 scholars’ entry into university, with 8,337 benefiting from paid internships at Equity Bank. Additionally, 3,454 have enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. A notable 890 ELP scholars have secured fully funded scholarships at 201 leading global universities across 36 countries, including Ivy League institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and Cornell Universities in the USA.
The Equity Leaders Program is designed to empower academically gifted scholars by facilitating their access to education in public universities both locally and globally, while also nurturing their leadership skills. ELP Scholars who pursued medicine and gained the necessary experience have been supported by EGF to establish Equity Afia Medical centers, expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare. To date, Equity Afia has successfully launched 102 facilities nationwide and is rolling the franchise in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
To further promote enterprise and provide solutions to various socio-economic challenges facing the continent, EGF has also created a network for ELP alumni in the enterprise and innovations space and has been supporting them to set-up and grow their businesses. For instance, Eliud Njogu, who founded E&M Technology an ELP alumni from the class of 2001. E&M Technology is a software development company that innovates for the financial industry. Eliud’s drive to innovate, start a business and provide employment opportunities is evidence of how an opportunity in education is a chance to transform the country, the continent & the world for the better. Paul Kimani, who’s also an ELP alumni class of 2007, leads Workpay a pan African technology company that builds payroll management software for companies across the continent. These success stories reflect EGF’s commitment to fostering a new generation of African entrepreneurs and innovators, proving that investment in education is a powerful tool for continental and global betterment.
