Parents in usual last-ditch rush to buy school items

As schools reopen this week, parents are protesting against the high price of items even as they are required to part with school fees for the third term.

Students caught up in riots might find themselves locked out if schools enforce the threat that those who burnt property would not be readmitted.

In Kisumu, many parents lamented the price of essential commodities had shot up.

Ms Carol Odera, a mother of five, said the price of toiletries had increased. "I managed to buy the few things needed. At least I started buying most of the items needed a month before December," says Mrs Odera.

In Siaya, major supermarkets and shopping outlets were a beehive of activity ahead of school opening. The shoppers, however, complained about increased prices of essential commodities for the learners.

Joseph Opiyo, a parent of a Form Three student, said: “Everything has gone up, talk of the shoes, the books and all that you would want to buy, I don’t know what will happen this year.

“Education is becoming more and more expensive, we are just from the festive season and many people have no money; we were shocked this morning when we saw catalogues from the bookshops.”

Penina Odhiambo, who operates a bookshop in Siaya, however, said the change in prices is negligible on specific materials.

“Parents were informed early enough of the changes that would occur, it is not on all the commodities; for instance, there is a slight change in the price of geometrical sets, the school socks and ties, and some few textbooks, the rest are as they were last year,” said Ms Odhiambo.

Most parents and guardians resorted to shopping yesterday to avoid the rush and long queues expected tomorrow.

Lower primary children parents are no exceptions. Materials needed for the Competency-Based Curriculum have also gone up drastically.

Other places that had long queues are the banking agents, who were receiving school fees from parents.

Sharon Atieno, an Equity Bank agent, had a busy day as parents flocked to her place to pay fees.

“Banks are resuming tomorrow, therefore, we are here to offer alternatives; on the opening day the banks will have long queues and many people prefer using the agents to pay school fees,” Ms Atieno said.

The transport sector, however, was silent, with a few passengers moving in and out of Siaya. Many vehicles carried below capacity.

Antony Sirembe, a driver plying the Siaya-Kisumu route, said the weekend had been “dry”.

“We haven’t done much, yesterday (Saturday) was the New Year and today some people are relaxing or they have gone to church.We hope to work from next week,” said the matatu operator.

Asked whether they would increase fares he laughed, saying that would be subject to many things. “You know fuel price is high, the demand for vehicles will also determine the fare from point to point, we wait and see how the day will be,” he said.

School heads have been urged to retain needy learners with fee balances in school ahead of two national exams slated for this year.

In Migori County, Woman Representative Dr Pamella Odhiambo noted that the majority of the parents were still struggling financially and “sending the needy students back home would jeopardise their learning”.

Schools are set to reopen for third term from today, with parents in a last-minute shopping rush amidst concerns of school fees hiccups.

“There are several cases we have of needy parents struggling to secure school fees and that is why we are coming in handy with bursaries. The Covid pandemic and the current curriculum change have pushed parents to the edge and this should be understood by school heads,” Dr Odhiambo said.

Reporting by Elizabeth Ojina, Ian Byron and Kassim Adinasi