Bright Futures at Risk as Financial Barriers Lock Kenyan Students Out of Secondary School
These cases highlight the broader barriers faced by talented students from low-income families as they transition to secondary education.
Victorine Chepchumba. Photo/Mahlon Lichuma
By Achieng Kemuma
The process of Form One student admission has started its second week across all secondary schools in Kenya and thousands of students have begun their new academic period. The high-achieving students who come from low-income families must deal with their uncertain status between primary and secondary educational systems. Financial barriers prevent students from Eldoret town in Uasin Gishu County who achieved high examination scores from attending school which puts their educational future at risk.
Victorine Chepchumba achieved an outstanding academic performance by obtaining 44 marks from a total of 72 marks in the national Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA). The secondary school admission process for Chepchumba remains uncertain despite her academic achievements. She traveled more than 50 kilometers from Chepsirei in Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County to Eldoret town because she refused to give up on her education search.
Chepchumba began her journey the previous night, carrying her belongings in an old, worn-out suitcase. The matatu stage in Eldoret made her arrive but exhaustion and despair struck her. She started crying after running out of school fees and essential items for secondary school education to appeal to the public for financial assistance.
Chepchumba expressed her national examination results brought her happiness, but her family financial situation might prevent her from becoming a lawyer. Her mother lacks formal employment which results in her family not being able to afford basic needs according to her explanation.
The village of Outspan in Uasin Gishu County faces this educational challenge which affects another high-achieving student. Ndung’u the son of Mary Wanjiru achieved 54 marks in the same examination which resulted in his admission to Samoei Boys School located in Nandi County near his home. His family faces financial challenges which prevent him from attending school although he wants to become a doctor.
Ndung’u described his family’s situation as dire, saying their home lacks stable income and resources. His mother Mary Wanjiru depends on casual laundry work to earn minimal wages which she uses to meet basic household expenses. Her disabled daughter requires care from her mother which prevents her from taking on more work responsibilities.
Wanjiru said the school fees required exceed 40,000 shillings annually, an amount far beyond her reach. The absence of financial assistance will prevent her son from attending school despite his determination and academic potential according to her statement.
For now, Ndung’u has joined Chepchumba in appealing to well-wishers, sponsors, and charitable individuals to step in and help him secure his place in secondary school.
The educational success of talented students from low-income families faces national difficulties which emerge in these personal accounts. The government has attempted to expand educational access but students from poor backgrounds who excel at national exams.
The students require urgent help to reach their educational potential which exists outside their control. Urgent community financial support needs to increase to create targeted scholarship programs which need government support to keep the young Kenyans educational path from financial challenges.
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