Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has revealed that 14,426 students have been selected to receive the highly sought-after Elimu Scholarship program for secondary education, out of 93,000 applicants.

This initiative aims to support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and is a significant step towards the government’s goal of achieving a 100% transition from primary to secondary education.

Machogu emphasized the impact of the program, stating, “The Elimu Scholarship Program has supported about 37,574 learners from poor households to transition from primary to secondary education. With an additional 14,426 beneficiaries this year, the government will provide hope to 52,000 learners, greatly supporting the 100% transition program.”

Furthermore, high-achieving students who scored an A or A- in their exams will automatically qualify for the Equity Leadership Program, where they will receive a monthly stipend of Ksh40,000.

Machogu added, “All the 2023 candidates who benefitted from the Elimu Scholarship Program and scored an A or an A- will automatically qualify to join the Equity Leadership Program, providing them with work experience and leadership training.”

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang expressed confidence in the selection process, stating, “We visited the homes of beneficiaries, and we are sure that those who are here and those who have gone to school are most deserving. The demand for these scholarships remains high, with over 93,000 applicants for the program.”

The Elimu Scholarship program, a collaboration between the government and the Global Partnership for Education, aims to bridge educational gaps for learners from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This announcement represents a significant investment in the education of thousands of deserving students across the country.