Parents of Form 1 students urge state not to increase fees

Form 1 parents have urged the government not to increase school fees this year owing to economic difficulties occasioned by the Covid-19 crisis.  

Most Form 1 parents in Kirinyaga county who spoke to the star on Monday while accompanying their children revealed that they struggled to get fees.

Margaret Wambui, a new parent at Kerugoya Boys in Kirinyaga, intimated that many parents are going through tough financial times.

She said most businesses were not doing well, thus many had to sell their precious commodities or take loans to educate their children.

“Parents, especially those who have to put more than two students through school, are financially constrained, they have a difficult task in managing the little they get for their children’s school fees," Wambui said.

"The government will, therefore, do us a favour if they refrain from increasing school fees because we are all struggling.”

Gladys Muthoni, another parent who accompanied his son to the same school, hailed the institution’s management for allowing their children to be admitted with a manageable fee.

“Most boarding facilities are being provided by the school at a manageable cost, so it has not been a strain for many parents who are laden with responsibilities,” she said.

Muthoni also expressed confidence in the school’s capability to manage the health of new learners in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The school’s vastness is also an advantage because students and teachers are keen to maintain social distance.

“We appreciate that the school has put in place strict measures to avoid the spread of the virus. We are not worried about our children’s health state because we know they are in safe pair of hands,” Muthoni said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Jane Nyawira who hailed the school for preparing adequately.

Nyawira said the school has put up water taps at various points, ensured students and school staff are masked as well as having extra classrooms in order to maintain social distance.

John Muriithi, another parent, hailed the school for being organised in admitting the new students.

He said the six temporal stations put up during the admission process eased the process and reduced overcrowding.

However, he added that like other struggling parents he had to work extra hard in order to get the required fee.

Principal Lawrence Muchiri Muthee told the Star the school had sent 450 Form 1 admission letters, out of which 80 percent of the students had turned up on the first day.

“We hope to receive all students by the end of the week so that they can start their studies soon.

"With the exception of the new students, the school has a population of  1,017 students and we are prepared to accommodate the Form ones while adhering to all laid down health protocols," the principal said.

He noted that construction of other new classrooms was underway and upon their completion, it would help ease accommodation demand for the now huge population.

He, however, urged the government to dispatch more teachers as the county school was deficient in teaching staff, more so as the country is grappling with Covid-19 pandemic.

Muthee said the institution has 45 government teachers and 15 teachers employed by the board of management.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)