Parents Feel Financial Constraints As School Resume

Schools resumed normally, Monday morning, across schools in Kericho County, after the long April holiday season characterized by heavy rains and ravaging floods across the country.

A spot check by Kenya News Agency at various schools within Kericho town, revealed that the majority of students reported to school smoothly for the start of the second term calendar.

Other students thronged the Kericho main bus terminal to travel to their respective schools in time, even as parents complained of financial challenges, saying the re-opening of schools was abrupt.

Esther Bett, a parent said she struggled to provide for the needs of her children required by the school, due to budget constraints, adding that the reopening caught families off guard.

‘We had no idea schools will reopen so soon after the announcement that they will not open till further notice. We’ve already allocated our fees to other activities,’ Bett lamented.

And Paul Chirchir, a parent, said he found himself grappling with the high cost of shopp
ing items for his children, who were reporting back to boarding school.

‘I had already diverted my attention and resources towards household essentials during the school holidays,’ Chirchir said.

In other sections of the town, parents were spotted in last minute rush to shop for uniforms and books for their children, who will be reporting for their second term learning.

Kericho County has, however, not been severely affected by the heavy rains that caused flooding in other parts of the country leading to the postponement of school reopening for the second term.

Source: Kenya News Agency