The Ministry of Education has rolled out a countrywide selection process that will see 9,000 bright yet needy learners who sat for the 2023 KCPE, get high school scholarship.

The Elimu Scholarship Program, is fully financed by the Kenya Kwanza government, jointly with the Global Partnership for Education under the auspices of Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning.

The Director for Project Coordination Mr. Elijah Mungai said the program targets bright, needy and vulnerable learners across all the 47 counties including informal settlements in the urban settings.

Mr Mungai was speaking at the Mavoko Sub-county Headquarters on the sidelines of the interview of the learners who applied for the program.

Area senior Assistant Commissioner stated that the sub-county would secure 41 learners out of the 85 shortlisted. He then said that in partnership with community leaders, his team ensures that only the most deserving would be awarded the scholarships.

Mr. Mungai, said that the Ministry of Education will, upon securing 9,000 learners, have provided financial assistance to over 55,000 students in the past five years.

Mr. Mungai also stated that The Elimu Scholarship Program is part of the government’s efforts to ensure transition, retention and completion of secondary education among learners from the poor, marginalized and vulnerable family backgrounds.

The government is keen on achieving 100 percent transition as the last cohort of 8-4-4 learners are set to join secondary education from January 15th, 2024.

The 100 percent transition policy was introduced by the government in a deliberate effort to bridge the gap in education, especially for marginalized and underprivileged children.