The Interswitch Group has announced it is now taking submissions for its grand annual Science and Mathematics contest for all secondary schools in Kenya where students stand a chance to win up to Sh1.5 million worth of scholarships.
According to the InterswitchSPAK Kenya Country Manager Romana Rajput, the annual Pan-African competition is aimed at re-igniting and incentivizing the study of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects among secondary school students.
“We are committed to inculcating knowledge, aptitude, and confidence, with a focus on improving the standard of education in Kenya. We are very passionate about encouraging more students, especially girls, to take up STEM subjects. The good news is that we have seen an increase in the number of girls participating in the competition,” said Rajput.
The winner of the contest will walk away with the grand scholarship worth Sh1.5million, a laptop, signage for their school while the 1st and 2nd runners up will pocket Sh750,000 and Sh150,000 respectively and a laptop each.
To enter, the students must be aged between 15 and 18 years of age at the time of submission.
“We encourage teachers, school administrators, parents, and guardians to ensure their students are registered. I also want to encourage the students to take hold of this opportunity to pursue their dreams. It is our belief that the year ahead will be very exciting,” added Rajput.
This year InterswitchSPAK seeks to register 12,000 students across the country who are the best students in the STEM subjects in the first six weeks after which a national qualifying contest will be held online.
The top 54 students will then proceed to the second stage of the competition to battle for the crown of Kenya’s Best Science Student.
For registration, each school is required to present its best science students in STEM subjects. and can register a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of ten (10) students.
Mixed schools must have at least three female students among the selected students.
Every registered student will participate in the qualifying examination online, from their schools, homes, or any convenient space.
The winner of season one was Jemimah Achieng from Asumbi Girls High School, Homa Bay, followed by Nobert Pkiach from Maranda High school and position 3 had Ashley Mudenyo from Alliance Girls High School.
