Form 1 students begin reporting to schools

By Agnes Orang’o(Education News Kenya — https://educationnews.co.ke/news/form-1-students-begin-reporting-to-schools)

Form one students have started reporting despite numerous complaints from parents about financial difficulties.

A spot check by Education News in Matungulu and Kangundo sub counties showed that the admission exercise in most schools carried on smoothly.

Tala Satellite High school Director Jackline King’ola urged parents to ensure their children report to school on time to facilitate learning.

“Form one admission is ongoing and we have not encountered any mishaps, except for students coming with the wrong uniform to school. It’s wise to ensure your child wears the right uniform so that in case of anything outside the school, the child can be identified,” she said.

She added: “I would also like to urge parents to bring their children to school early so that they can begin learning early too. For us, we are expecting 70 students but 25 have reported.”

At Tala Girls High school, Principal Annabelle Katimi said she is expecting 360 students and by the time of reporting only 50 had come.

“Our official form one reporting date is Tuesday, February 7 but 50 students came on Monday, February 6 due to confusion from the downloaded calling letters,” she noted.

The case was the same for Kangundo High school and Fr. Heeran Girls where parents started trickling in as early as 7 am.

Parents have urged school heads to be lenient with them as they sort out school fee balances.

Delayed disbursement of bursaries from the Constituency Development Fund and the county government of Machakos has left many parents stranded.

“The schools should accept what we have and we will be glad to go back and look for the balance and pay it. Times are hard but our children must study,” said a parent.