The M-Pesa Foundation has rekindled the hopes and dreams of 100 needy students who will now proceed with their education without having to worry about tuition fees, uniforms, and school shopping for the 4 years of secondary school learning.
Sh40 Million was dedicated to the scholarship fund with these 100 students having been selected from all 47 counties and from among their peers living with disabilities.
The learners are currently enrolled in 90 different secondary schools around the country and are proceeding with their second year of high school.
The Foundation is also behind the M-Pesa Foundation Academy which enrolled its first lot of 94 students in February 2016.
The world-class facility provides both the Kenyan National Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP).
It also takes a 360° approach to learning, providing opportunities for students to explore technology, music, sports, the arts, outdoor pursuits, and community service.
MPESA Foundation Academy
The MPESA Foundation Academy is a state-of-the-art, mixed boarding high school providing world-class Kenyan education.
Driven by leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation, the Academy serves talented but economically disadvantaged students with demonstrable leadership potential.
M-PESA Foundation Academy - Admission
Admission into The Academy is based on an independent application process separate from the national process.
Each applicant must be in their last year of primary school, be at least 13 years old registered to sit for their KCPE examinations in November.
MPESA Foundation Academy - Applications for Admission
Admission is evaluated on the following criteria:
- Academic Excellence
- Leadership Potential
- Need
- Responsible Citizenship
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
Applications are accepted by students from all counties in Kenya.
The Academy is an inclusive learning environment and qualifying students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
The admissions cycle runs from May to November each year, and consists of filling and returning an application form (see links below) and, a multiple-stage evaluation process including, telephone and in-person interviews, for selected applicants.
M-PESA Foundation Academy - Academic Life
At M-PESA Foundation Academy, learning goes beyond listening to the teacher disseminate knowledge and test accuracy. The approach involves elements such as collaborative and self-directed learning.
In addition, there is a rigorous study skills program so that students are well prepared to sit for the KCSE examinations at the end of their 4 years in high school, making possible the successful completion of secondary education.
Consistent with the Ministry of Education guidelines, students have a choice of KCSE subject offerings. In addition to examinable subjects, the Academy offers supplementary subjects to fulfil students’ other educational needs.
The Academy delivers and practices in diverse and excitable ways the following key skills for the future:
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Analysis and Problem solving
- Collaboration
- Curiosity
- Leadership
MPESA Foundation Academy - Leadership and Entrepreneurship
This is an overall development program that nurtures students’ skills and builds a culture that enables positive change.
These programs cover social and servant leadership, emotional intelligence, working in teams, simulating real-life challenges and failures, elevator pitching, etc. The Academy cultivates students’ ability to innovate, irrespective of their academic strengths or weaknesses.
As such, students work with teachers and one another to design projects that can solve real-world challenges.
MPESA Foundation Academy - Technology
Technology is a key aspect of life at The Academy, building key skills across the community regardless of areas of interest.
In leveraging technology to support teaching, learning, and operations, we invest in the following areas:
- Blended Learning: Our model incorporates both direct teacher-student contact time and online learning opportunities. As a way of accommodating diverse learning styles and to ensure that no student is left behind, blended learning allows for collaboration, the use of online tools to practice concepts, and access to curated and open academic content.
- Resource Management: The Academy maintains a digital resource bank of recommended and approved learning materials and other relevant resources from around the world, which students and educators have access to.
- Administration: The key functions of The Academy are managed through central technology applications. This includes finance administration, facilities management, catering management, student management, and residential life management among others.
MPESA Foundation Academy - Community Engagement
The community engagement arm of the Academy is in line with our Responsible Citizenship value.
As the school is a community in itself, and as a way of practicing gratitude for the opportunities afforded to the members of the Academy, every member of The Academy community is expected to be actively engaged in the community service programs.
This programme is planned in the following key ways:
- Sharing Academic Resources– The Academy will share the knowledge that has been tried and tested at the school. The Academy is building a data bank of resources in the form of recorded lectures, learning materials, teaching tools that are accessible online.
- Community Service Projects (External) – Each student is required to participate in a community service project, guided by faculty and staff members. The students and faculty members will work alongside members of the community to ensure that these projects meet the community’s needs.
- Community Service (Internal) – Every aspect of the school has a community engagement arm. All the clubs that the students are involved in will be required to hold regular in-house community events.
M-PESA Foundation Academy - Value Based Education
The following values drive life across all elements of The Academy for educators, learners, and staff:
- Excellence: We are exceptional people committing to personal and shared achievement.
- Responsible Citizenship: We value compassion and care for those around us as we contribute to the common good. Curiosity: We are invested in and take ownership of our teaching and learning in order to constantly grow.
- Accountability: We hold ourselves and others responsible for decisions, attitudes and actions taken.
- Leadership: We have the courage to challenge the status quo in order to inspire and lead positive change.
- Innovation: We see problems in our communities as opportunities for transformative action.