The moaning morning month after the night of the end-year party, raises the hopes of some families in humanity’s capacity for compassion.
Some families, who were on the verge of despair, can smile again: Their children have been admitted to schools of their choice. But many parents are stuck with children at home because they cannot pay for their secondary education.
Some of the children could drop out of the formal education system if they do not secure a place in Form 1 this year.
As the last group to sit the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams, they have reason to worry: There will be no Form 1 admissions next year. The new system of education, Competency-Based Curriculum, gives these children no option of repeating a class. Joining Form 1 is the ticket to continuing formal education.
The rush to secure Form 1 admissions must be understood in the context of transition in the school curriculum. While some principals of secondary schools are accommodating, others are exploiting the situation.
If a student was not admitted through the front door in some schools, they have to report with money to buy a locker, a chair, a mattress and a bed. Such schools cite congestion as the reason for some of the unusual requirements.
Two cases of compassion illustrate the audacity of children with a dream: A 14-year-old boy, Edmond Kiprono, armed with a dream, and an admission letter, walked into Kabarnet High School, uncertain of what lay ahead. He was wearing the tattered uniform of his former primary school. He also wore floaters that had seen better days.
Moved by the boy’s confidence, the principal, Julius Ndirangu, admitted the student. The principal committed to support the young soul during his four years at Baringo county’s top public school.
Dreamers, like this boy, need the gift of courage to walk into their future. The boy hopes to become a doctor. He knows education is the pathway to the future he yearns.
Another dreamer, a son of a single parent, walked into Kabianga School, clutching on to hope. The boy walked most of the way from Kondele, Kisumu county, to the top school in Kericho county.
The school guard ushered the weary child to the principal’s office. The staff of the school have adopted the student. Such is the humbling, raw power of compassion.
In some of these schools, some students arrive aboard helicopters; some are chauffeur-driven. Some come walking. Some are sons and daughters of ‘very important people’. Some are children of peasants; some come from single-parent families; some are orphans. Some arrive alone and forlorn.
These children will sit in the same classrooms. They will be taught by the same teachers, sleep in the same dormitories, and eat from the same kitchen during the four years in these schools.
Monday, January 15, was the official reporting day for Form 1 students. Some joined because of the compassion of the charitable. Some joined because of the goodness of the hearts of the alumni of schools like Maseno School and Kanga High School. Some joined because their parents and guardians could pay.
The majority of the new mentors of these children were compassionate, and understanding, like the principals of Kabarnet High School and Kabianga School. Although the two chief principals know schools are not run on charity, they showed compassion where it was deserved.
But callousness was also reported in some schools. Probably overwhelmed during the admission week, or the strain of sustaining hundreds of eating adults on a slim budget, the schools had to squeeze as much as they could during admission.
A principal of a 'senior' public school in Rachuonyo was callous. The student needed Sh8,000 more to make the Sh23,000, which was due for term one.
Here is the conversation — as reported:
Guardian: Happy New Year, Mwalimu. A student, an orphan, has been stepped out of the queue. Could you have him admitted? Sh8,000 will be paid at the earliest opportunity."
Chief Principal: What! Surely a parent should pay Sh23,000. The parent knew the child would be admitted to Form 1 eight years ago.
Guardian: The child is an orphan. The balance will be paid. They don't have return fare.
Chief Principal: I don't care. Pay on admission.
Guardian: The child is at the school. Admit — the balance will be paid.
Chief Principal: You are wasting my time.
Well-wishers paid Sh8,000, 30 minutes after the failed plea.
The sacrifice you make today to keep a needy child in school, may change the fortunes of a family years from now.
