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Kenyan bank boosts scholarships

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 26 – Equity Bank will this year spend Sh144 million to support its Pre-University sponsorship programme.

The amount which is the highest since the inception of the programme will benefit 200 students countrywide who emerged top in their districts in the Kenya Certificate of secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

The Bank’s Managing Director James Mwangi said on Monday that the programme would give the beneficiaries the advantage of entering the job market with adequate experience.

“We will be withdrawing them constantly to our branches while staying at the Kenyatta University. The consistent learning environment will enable them to develop the skills in a conducive environment,” he stated. “We will also be looking for great leaders, both locally and internationally to come and speak to them.”

A number of the beneficiaries expressed their joy at being awarded the scholarships.

“I am very happy because Equity has made my dreams come true. It has made me a masterpiece,” stated one of the top students.

Each student was awarded Sh720,000 to assist them during their four years in university.

Education Minister Professor Sam Ongeri lauded the bank’s efforts and said that it would enhance the performance of students at the Secondary school level.

“This is very commendable and I challenge private institutions including more banks to join this endeavor towards enhancing efforts and performance by those pursuing secondary education in Kenya,” Prof Ongeri said.
 
He further stressed the government’s commitment to ensure that education is accessed by all Kenyans irrespective of their economic or cultural backgrounds.

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“We are all fully aware of the free primary education that started in 2003 with a multiplicity of problems but each year, we are able to overcome those problems,” he stated.

Equity bank Chairman Peter Munga called on private institutions to take up their cooperate social responsibility seriously in an effort to build manpower capacity in the country.

Mr Munga pointed out that this would further improve the country’s economy and put it in the path of achieving its Vision 2030.

“This Kind of programme is a great equaliser in the sense that you are getting a top student from every constituency in this country,” he added. “This is great preparation for a group of leaders who will represent the best that this country can offer.”

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