The objective is to improve access and quality of education for needy students through the provision of scholarships, learning materials and improved public school infrastructure.
The Development Concern
The 2005 Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey (KIHBS) shows that Kenyan household expenditure for a primary school student averaged approximately KES 3,000 per year, while expenditures for a secondary school student averaged close to KES 25,000. These financial commitments at the secondary school level account for approximately 55% of the annual per capita household expenditure.
While the increased availability of bursaries (e.g. from The Constituencies Development Fund) have provided many families with financial assistance, the pressing burden of secondary school fees and associated expenses such as uniform, boarding and other learning materials still prevents many students from furthering their education. Commendable government interventions such as Free Primary Education have led to increases in primary level enrolment and higher demand for secondary school facilities as parents realize the necessity of advanced education.
Addressing the concern
In response to the challenges highlighted above, the KCB Foundation provides secondary education scholarships for bright but needy students. The program targets 200-240 beneficiaries every year and students benefit from a full scholarship for the 4 years of secondary education.
Program Results
- Access to secondary education through provision of scholarships to over 1,000 beneficiaries
- Inclusion of students with disability through provision of scholarships to 80 students living with visual, hearing and physical disabilities
- Construction and refurbishment of over 200 school structures through the My School My Community initiative
- Learning materials such as desks, books, water harvesting equipment for over 500 schools through the KCB branch network
Information for Scholarship Applicants
To access a KCB scholarship;
- Applicants collect application forms at any KCB Branch countrywide. The forms are available in the branches starting 1st December
- Applicants submit their applications in a county interview and selection process
- The interviews are conducted by KCB staff teams
- Applicants with disability are recruited through the county social development offices and integrated /special primary schools
- Home visits are conducted to verify the needy status of the shortlisted candidates
- Selected candidates are assigned to individual mentors and begin school
To qualify for a KCB Scholarship;
- The applicant must come from a needy home
- The applicant must attain the prescribed county cut off marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination
- The applicant must have a calling latter to a national or county/ex-county secondary school
The KCB Scholarship package entails:
- Payment of school fees for the 4 years of secondary school
- Support for personal effects, learning materials and assistive devices for students with disability
- Quarterly one-on-one mentorship sessions with KCB branch staff and an annual holiday mentorship program
- Internship and employment opportunities during and after the university studies
- Equitable distribution across the counties and gender balance is sort to ensure both boys and girls benefit from the program.
