Various pupils who sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams last year in Busia County and scored high marks are faced with the fear of not joining Form One due to lack of fees.
John Omuse Etyang from Musokoto village in Nambale sub county is a worried man as he has no money to take his son, Peter Omuse to Kibabii High school in Bungoma where he was designated to join after he scored 374 marks at Musokoto B primary school, “I have nowhere to get money from and the day he is supposed to report to school is fast approaching. Even here at home we only eat once a day due to poverty.”
A similar situation is experienced at Alice Awino’s home in Nasira village Matayos sub county. Her son Hesbon Wabwire scored 386 marks at Nasira AC and got an admission letter from Maseno school, “As I am talking I have no money to take him to school. Hesbon is crying day and night as he sees his dream of joining high school being shattered.”
She said she has unsuccessfully applied for various scholarships since the exam results were released, “I started with the KCB Bank scholarship but I didn’t succeed. I then applied for the Equity Wings to Fly program which was also not successful and finally, I applied for the Elimu Scholarship where I was told they’ll visit me at home but up to today, I’ve seen nobody.”
The parents have been supported by teachers led by James Mwami of Musokoto B to urge the government and well-wishers to come in and help the children join secondary school and realize their dreams, “These are bright pupils who really need help and we appeal to the government and well-wishers to come to their aid,” said Mwami.
Sixteen pupils were picked by Equity Bank Wings to fly scholarship while 480 others were taken by Elimu scholarship from Busia County.