Following the application deadline last Friday, the whole Hatua team has been busy this week processing a total of 195 returned applications for 35 new secondary scholarships to be awarded in the new year.
At Hatua we endeavor to select students for scholarship in the most fair and equal way possible according to merit and need. We use a points system, awarding marks for returning fully completed forms and according to the quality of three submitted essays, average end of term marks and the strength of the teacher’s recommendation letter. Points are recorded against each application’s reference number, and not their name, in order to remain unbiased.
Each essay is marked by two different team members from Hatua, following standardized marking criteria meriting organization, spelling and grammar, the strength and clarity of the applicant’s idea and the depth of its development. An average overall score is then aggregated for each applicant for these essays.
We assess the need of each applicant by closely considering their family background and living situation. We also consider their teacher’s recommendation letter and their village chief / religious leader’s reference. If an applicant is declared as ‘not needy’, it is reviewed by another staff member and if a decision cannot be made the case goes to the whole group. Applicants declared as ‘not needy’ are removed from the process.
Our short list for home visits is compiled of the top point-scorers, making allowances to ensure that we have represented every primary school in Likoni and that boys and girls are equally represented. Only when the short list has been compiled are applicant names revealed.
Home visits are then conducted to learn more about the applicant’s situation to help us make a final decision.
Our scholarship selection process has been designed to help us find the top performing students with the highest drive and potential in Likoni who would otherwise be unable to continue their education. We strive to give equal opportunity to all applicants, regardless of ethnicity and religion.
If you have any questions about the selection process feel free to visit our office!