Govt announces Form One scholarship for 9,000 needy pupils

Monday, May 2nd, 2022 01:28 | By

Former Education CS Prof George Magoha. PHOTO/Courtesy

The Ministry of Education has finally announced the Elimu scholarship for needy and vulnerable students joining Form One this year.

Some 9,000 needy and vulnerable learners who scored 280 marks out of the possible 500 marks in the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams from all counties, including informal settlements in 15 urban centres, are eligible to apply.

"Only candidates who sat the KCPE from public primary schools in all 47 counties in the country are eligible to apply," the Ministry has said, in a public notice.

Affirmative action

For affirmative action, candidates who are orphans and those with special needs and disabilities who attained below 280 marks may be considered.

Learners who also qualify are those whose parents are persons with disabilities, which compromises their ways of meeting financial obligations for their children and whose families are affected by HIV/Aids and other chronic illnesses with debilitating effects that could render parents and guardians destitute and are unable to fend for their children.

Children whose families are affected by extreme poverty rendering them unable to educate and those who have suffered neglect, abuse and have no support to continue with their education are also eligible to apply for the scholarship.

The Ministry has urged applicants to submit duly filled forms, including supporting documents by close of business of May 6.

"Shortlisted candidates, accompanied by parents or guardians, will be invited which will be conducted by the Community Selection Advisory committees. Only the candidates who meet stipulated requirements will be considered for the scholarship," the Ministry said.

The scholarship caters for school fee, transport to and fro school, kits and pocket money for the beneficiaries for the four year secondary education.

The Ministry works with Equity Group Foundation (EGF) to implement the scholarship programme.
This wil be the third group of students to benefit from the scholarship programme.