MPesa Foundation Academy Launches a Transition Programme

January 15, 2020

IMAGE --1 — From Left Sanda Ojiambo Head of Sustainable Business & Social Impact, Safaricom PLC, Les Baillie, CEO M-PESA Foundation Academy and Stephen Walker, Director teaching and learning at M-PESA Foundation Academy during the launch of Uongozi leadership Centre.

The MPesa Foundation Academy has launched an eleven month post-high school programme for its form four leavers. The programme will be hosted at the newly launched Uongozi Centre located inside the academy. It will not only give the students an opportunity to define their career and entrepreneurial choices beyond the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams but will also help prepare them for leadership roles in their areas of interest.

Curriculum

“ When creating the curriculum for the programme we put a lot of emphasis on Africa’s history, religion, philosophy and development because we want to equip the learners with both theoretical and practical knowledge as we prepare them for leadership roles within the continent. We want them to appreciate and have a deep understanding of Africa’s heritage so that they can develop ideas around how the continents’ journey of development can be better served and achieved”, said Dr Stephen Walker, director of teaching and learning, MPesa Foundation Academy.

M-PESA Foundation Academy Scholars during the Uongozi leadership centre for Post High School Programme

In addition to African studies, the learners will also be taken through leadership and critical design thinking, business and entrepreneurship, life skills, outdoor pursuits and wellbeing as well as computer studies.

“We want to equip the scholars with 21^st century mindsets and skillsets that can help them contribute to the transformation of their communities, country and eventually Africa. During their stay at the centre, they will have access to career counsellors, mentors and coaches to guide them as they discover the variety of fields that fits their strengths to be successful leaders in their respective areas of interest,” said Les Baillie, chief executive officer, MPesa Foundation Academy.

Impressive results

The academy posted impressive results in its maiden KCSE examination achieving a mean grade of B minus. The top student, Abigael Kadogo, emerged sixteenth nationally with all 91 candidates attaining entry grades to institutions of higher learning. Seven students are also currently studying in the United States of America after getting fully paid scholarships. The MPesa Foundation Academy offers a platform for economically disadvantaged students from across the country who are offered full 4-year scholarships. This year the school has admitted 96 form one students.