Parents, teachers and students in Kiambu County were in the past few days leading to schools re-opening busy trying to comply with the Education Ministry’s directive, as bus terminus, bookshops and school uniform shops, have been beehive of activities.
Kiambu Township Secondary School Principal, Mrs. Phyllis Kamau, told KNA that the School has been ready to embrace back the students from long holiday.
“We have recorded 99 percent attendance today and come next week, will usher in around 250 students who are enrolling for Form One this term.
She noted a positive deviation of 0.149 in the recently released Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, with a mean grade of 3.8 up from 3.6.
“We are also proud to be taking 12 students to university compared to last year’s three students. Our first student graded a B+,” Ms Kamau said.
A spot check by the KNA team witnessed a rush in most areas of Kiambu town, as transport, bookshops school uniforms outlets filled, as some parents engaged in last-minute shopping.
Mary Wangechi, a resident of Kiambu who was buying books told KNA that the last-minute rush was due to the economic challenges she has been facing over the last couple of months.
“The high cost of living has made it difficult for some of us to provide these children with what they require. We are purchasing what is necessary and with the festive season just over, most parents do not have money”, she said
She also confirmed that stationery, as well as uniform prices have gone up and therefore for a parent who has more than one child going back to school, is even more challenging.
But even as Wagechi talks of hard times, Peter Mbuthia, another parent from Kiambu said he was busy over the holiday with his metal box business, which he cannot complain as he has had clients purchasing metal boxes for the form one students, who are to report to their respective schools next week.
“I cannot complain since my business is doing well at this time as parents are buying metal boxes from me, however, I still feel that most parents are struggling”, he added
Elizabeth Nduta, who sews school uniforms told KNA that this is the only time she can make profit, as most parents purchase school uniforms at the beginning of the year.
“I have received quite several tenders to sew uniforms for different schools and I’m earning good money now. I intend to even work for extra hours since come the next two months, no parent will be purchasing uniform,” she explained.
The Ministry of Education on Monday assured schools that the exchequer has released school capitations amidst an uproar that the delay in the release, will affect learning in public institutions.
The Government normally allocates Sh 22, 244 per learner annually, under the free day secondary school program.
