For the past sixteen years, NCBA has invested over Ksh 100 million in the scholarship program with the aim of providing continuous education to underprivileged and bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2023, the bank has sponsored 100 students with an investment of Ksh 11.1 million for education scholarships.
In Kenya, over 1.8 million children of school-going age are out of school and involved in practices such as child labour to supplement family income.
Under the NCBA Youth Education and Enterprise Citizenship pillar, the program has enrolled over 300 students in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions. The scholarship covers tuition fees, textbooks, uniforms and dormitory supplies. In addition, the program provides mentorship and coaching to the students with the goal of equipping them with the necessary tools to become transformational leaders in society. To be eligible, students must be needy, bright, transformational, orphans, half-orphans, from destitute families, victims of domestic violence or displaced people.
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Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony NCBA Group Managing Director, Mr John Gachora said,
“Education is a high priority in Kenya and is considered a vital component of the country’s social and economic development. However, to realize the full potential of Kenya’s future generations, it is essential to guarantee that all children have access to quality education. At NCBA, we are determined to inspire greatness as we play our part in providing a solution to achieve sustained community transformation through education.”
NCBA has been providing education and mentorship opportunities to students in Kenya since 2007, through six partnerships including Edumed Trust, Daraja Kenya Initiative, Dr. Choksey Albinism Foundation, SOS Kenya, Mpesa Foundation Academy and Palmhouse Foundation.
Mr. Paul Kibet, Director of Secondary Education, Ministry of Education said that the government will continue to collaborate with the private sector and other stakeholders to invest in education to ensure that all children in Kenya have access to quality education and the opportunity to realize their full potential.
“Kenya’s education sector has experienced rapid improvement through a series of ambitious reforms aimed at enhancing the quality of education. These reforms include the introduction of the competency-based curriculum (CBC), teacher professional development, textbook policies, and improved management practices at the local level.
As a result of these efforts, Kenya has become a top performer in education in Eastern and Southern Africa, according to the Kenya Economic Update, Edition 25 “Aiming High, Securing Education to Sustain Recovery report.” He added.
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Also present at the event was NCBA’s Group Chairman, Mr. James Ndegwa who said,
“Through education, children are empowered to make changes in their communities and overcome the shackles of poverty. This enables them to better themselves, their communities, and the world as a whole. Give a child an education and you give them more than opportunities; you give them hope for the future, the chance to make a difference, and the tools to give back. At NCBA, we are dedicated to promoting these values.”
“Achieving gender equality in and through education is at the heart of the human rights agenda, and the key to achieving the transformational 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
It requires developing equitable institutions that generate policies, budgets and plans that enable all to succeed. This requires paying attention to the institutional arrangements, management structures, social norms, relationship dynamics and political economy issues that shape education, and addressing gender-related disadvantages that deliver different outcomes for girls and boys, women and men.”
He added.
Supporting education especially of bright students underprivileged backgrounds, is aligned with the national agenda of prioritizing education and training as a as a vehicle that will drive Kenya into a middle-income economy.
