Equity begins selection of Wings to Fly scholarship beneficiaries

The process to select beneficiaries of the Wings to Fly scholarship program has started across the country.

Students who are expected to join Form 1 in February will have an opportunity to be selected and attend interviews.

Beneficiaries should have scored 350 marks and above.

They should also come from families facing financial challenges.

Interested students on Tuesday appeared before the Community Scholarship Selection Boards accompanied by their parents or guardians.

Busia county director of Education William Makori said the selection process by Equity was above board and confirmed that due process is followed by the CSSBs.

Makori spoke to the candidates, parents, and guardians before the commencement of the interviews.

"In Busia, 526 applications were received. Out of these, 60 children were shortlisted to attend the interviews," Makori said on Wednesday.

They will have the chance to be selected for the eight slots allotted to the Busia CSSB for admission to the Wings to Fly Program. 

The CSSBs consist of key personalities from the communities, and each is chaired by the subcounty director of Education.

The boards are coordinated by Equity branch managers.

“Do not be persuaded by anyone purporting to influence the selection process. The process is free and fair and you should not pay anyone claiming to influence the outcome,” he said.

Lodwar chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association Samuel Losuwat lauded the scholarship programs.

Losuwat who sits on the Lodwar CSSB said it has a great impact on communities, especially for beneficiaries.

"We have seen professionals emerge from this program, something the students would not have realized without Equity's intervention," he said

In Changamwe subounty, 58 candidates were interviewed for the Wings to Fly scholarship.

Kirinyaga Kepsha chairperson James Mututa said Equity has allowed CSSB members to witness learners being empowered by the program.

"This program transforms the lives of young men and women and equips them with knowledge and the attitude for prosperity," Mututa said.

The Wings to Fly program is a partnership between Equity Group Foundation and Equity Bank.

The program receives additional financial support from other partners notably KfW, Mastercard Foundation, USAID, UKAid, private institutions and individuals.

Since 2010, the program has grown to offer 20,009 scholarships.

The scholarship is a comprehensive secondary school scholarship program for academically gifted but financially challenged children from all counties in Kenya.

The scholarship program is now in its 13th year.

The children who make it past the interviews will be visited by the CSSB members during the home verification process.

After this, the 2023 Wings to Fly cohort will be selected to attend a centralised induction and be commissioned before joining high school.