Govt Aims for 100 Percent Transition as Last 8-4-4 Cohort Joins Secondary Education

The Ministry of Education has initiated a nationwide selection process to grant scholarships to 9,000 financially needy students. The Elimu Scholarship program, a collaborative effort between the government and the Global Partnership for Education under the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning (KPEEL) project, was launched in 2019.

Elimu Scholarship program aims to support students from all 47 counties, including those residing in marginalized urban settlements. Administered through the Equity Group Foundation, the Elimu Scholarship attracts applicants from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who achieve a score of 280 marks and above in the KCPE exams.

As this year marks the final cohort of candidates sitting for the KCPE examination, the future of the project, which facilitates learners in progressing through secondary education, remains uncertain. Elijah Mungai, the Director of Project Coordination and Delivery, emphasized the program’s commitment to assisting bright, needy, and vulnerable learners.

ALSO READ: HELB Announces Loans of Up to Ksh 500K for Civil Servants: Requirements

He made these remarks at the Mavoko Subcounty Headquarters in Machakos county during the ongoing interviews for shortlisted candidates. “This scholarship is aimed at ensuring that no child is left behind,” stated Mungai, emphasizing the initiative’s objective of providing deserving students the opportunity to continue their education.

Mungai assured that the selection process would be meticulous, with community leaders and local administrators playing a pivotal role in identifying candidates deserving of the scholarships. Micah Ondoro, the Area Senior Assistant County Commissioner, reassured residents that only the most deserving students would be beneficiaries of the scholarships.

The Elimu program stands as a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to narrow the educational gap among various socio-economic groups. Over the past five years since its inception, the program has granted scholarships to more than 55,000 students, significantly enhancing secondary school transition and completion rates for children from economically disadvantaged families.

100 percent transition

In a bid to achieve a 100 percent transition, the government is preparing for the enrollment of the last cohort of 8-4-4 learners into secondary education starting January 15th, 2024.

Mrs. Dorothy Kamwilu, representing the Ministry of Education, addressed parents and guardians of shortlisted Elimu scholars in Mathira East Sub County, Nyeri County, emphasizing the importance of ensuring all learners who sat for the last KCPE in 2023 are enrolled in various secondary schools.

Mrs. Kamwilu, leading the monitoring exercise for the 2024 Elimu Scholarship selection process in Nyeri County, stressed the commitment to leave no learner behind in accessing secondary education.

ALSO READ: Top 10 Foundations Offering Full Sponsorship To KCSE, KCPE Candidates After Exams

She encouraged public and private organizations to contribute to supporting vulnerable and bright students through initiatives like the Government Elimu Scholarship Programme (ESP) and financial aid from partners.

Acknowledging the limitations of existing programs, Mrs. Kamwilu urged the Community Scholarship and Advisory Committee (CSAC) to conduct the selection process fairly and transparently. This, she emphasized, would give deserving learners from vulnerable families a chance to benefit from the ESP under the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.

Mathira East Deputy County Commissioner, Rodgers Osundwa, and CSAC Chairman assured parents of the government’s dedication to the 100 percent transition policy. The Government Multi-Agency team, coordinated by National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), will work closely to facilitate the smooth transition of all learners in the Sub-County to secondary school.

Osundwa also encouraged parents facing financial constraints to consider enrolling their children in Day-Secondary schools, which are more affordable and easily accessible. In Nyeri County, 1,620 learners applied for the Elimu scholarship, but only 111 extremely needy and bright students will be awarded after the interview process.

The 100 percent transition policy was implemented by the government to bridge the education gap, particularly for marginalized and underprivileged children.

Kisumu County

Kisumu County’s Director of Education, Rosemary Birenge, has called for an increase in slots for the Elimu Scholarship program (ESP) to provide more pupils from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with access to education. Out of 3,429 pupils who applied for the scholarship, 1,346 were shortlisted, and only 288 will benefit after a rigorous selection process involving interviews and home visits.

ALSO READ: KUCCPS Extends TVET Applications for 2000—2022 KCSE Students; How to Apply

Speaking at Victoria Primary School during the second day of interviews, Birenge highlighted the priority given to total orphans, single orphans, single parents, people with disabilities, and Nubians in Kisumu County, as they fall under marginalized groups. The allocations were distributed among the eight sub-counties, with Kisumu Central, East, and West receiving 58, 41, and 56 slots, respectively. Other sub-counties received varying allocations.

Birenge stressed that the current allocation only covers eight percent of the total number of needy pupils in the area and appealed for more slots to enable a broader reach and contribute to the development of the country.

Kisumu Deputy County Commissioner Lang’at Bosek, leading the seven-day vetting exercise, noted that every shortlisted child would be assessed, and the most deserving cases would be selected for the Elimu program. Out of the 288 slots in Kisumu County, 159 will go to girls and 129 to boys.

The ESP, implemented by the Ministry of Education through the Equity Group Foundation, has supported a total of 37,574 beneficiaries across four cohorts since its inception. The program aims to improve the transition and retention of learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and enhance the participation of girls in schools.

Cohort 4, which includes 10,574 beneficiaries, is currently undergoing selection, interviews, and home visits in all 47 counties, with 7,574 implemented by the Equity Group Foundation and 3,000 by the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.

Govt Aims for 100 Percent Transition as Last 8-4-4 Cohort Joins Secondary Education