M-Pesa Foundation to build state-of-the-art academy for gifted but disadvantaged children

Kenya: M-Pesa Foundation has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art, mixed boarding high school to provide first-class education to gifted but economically disadvantaged children from all counties in the country.

The school to be situated along the Mang'u-Thika Road will use advanced technology to deliver a world-class education to students. It will open in January next year with an initial intake of 90 students and will ultimately have a capacity of 800 students by 2019.

According to the Chairman, Michael Joseph, the proposed M-Pesa Foundation Academy is inspired by entrepreneurial leadership and aims to create well-rounded students who have technological skills to meet the future demands of business in Africa.

"The Foundation is deeply committed to empowering large-scale and long-term sustainable projects that aim to have maximum impact on Kenyans in the areas of education, health and environment. The Academy will be the home for transformative education in Kenya," he said.

To be well-grounded in best in class education, Mr Joseph noted that the Foundation will be hosting a cross-sector educational symposium next month to start a comprehensive conversation on the state of the country's education sector.

"The forum will bring together key stakeholders in Government, education and the corporate sector to discuss how Kenya can reap the benefits of leadership and technology in our education system," he said.

The Academy boasts of first-class sports facilities including an indoor sports hall, a sports field, running track, swimming pools, squash courts, a music centre and a 500-seat auditorium. There are also arts and cultural facilities.

According to International Data Corporation (IDC) General Manager Onesmus Mbogo, if Kenya aims to develop transformational leaders for future economic growth, it must adopt an innovative approach to education.

"We feel that bringing together the kind of expertise that led to the creation of M-PESA and the Safaricom Academy will prove beneficial to this project," he said.