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Schools Re-Open Amid Difficult Economic Times for Parents

Schools Re-Open Amid Difficult Economic Times for Parents

Schools Re-Open Amid Difficult Economic Times for Parents

After two years of disruption to the educational calendar caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, schools reopen for the first term today.

As a result of the current economic climate, parents struggle to pay for their children’s school fees.

In terms of supplying capitation funds, ensuring proper infrastructure in schools, and personnel, a portion of teachers’ union executives have stated that the government is not adequately equipped.

Due to the frequent closure and reopening of schools over short terms over the financial two years, some schools have accrued arrears in unpaid fees, which, according to an official, heightens the situation of increased parents.

Despite the numerous obstacles, parents in several regions of the country rushed yesterday to prepare their children for the start of school.

In the majority of big cities, there were lengthy lines at the bookstores, supermarkets, and uniform retailers.

As early as 8 a.m., Bungoma residents swarmed to shops and supermarkets. Matatu owners capitalized on the last-minute surge of parents shopping in the town center for school supplies.

The majority of public service trucks were headed to Kisii, Kisumu, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Busia, and a portion of the travelers interviewed stated that they choose to travel the day before the opening to escape the crowds.

In the county seats of Vihiga, Kakamega, and Busia, a significant number of parents and students flocked to book stores and bank agents.

According to parents contacted, they have been driven to pay whatever they can in the hopes that school administrators will appreciate their situation.

To date, 365 students have been awarded full scholarships by the Vihiga County government.

While handing out the bursaries, Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo asked parents to be patient as they work on a plan to enhance funding.

“On the day of reporting, I must pay first term fees of approximately Sh50,000 for the first term. Due to inflation, textbooks and students’ personal belongings are expensive, and we’ve spent a lot of money feeding them throughout the long break,” a Nandi parent, Monica Rop, said.

Some parents also remarked that the Form One reporting date was announced with short notice after the Ministry of Education recently released the placement list.

Some parents urged the government to consider prolonging Form One admissions for around two weeks so that parents have time to look for money.

Unlike in the past, when supermarkets and bookstores conducted brisk business on the eve of the start of the school year, several Kapsabet town stationery and booksellers reported low activity.

One of the bookstore proprietors reported that some parents were merely inquiring about the prices of CBC books but were not purchasing them.

Book stores and school outfit shops in Migori town lamented robust business despite the parents’ complaints about the economic climate.

Schools Re-Open Amid Difficult Economic Times for Parents

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