Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Agony for parents as schools re-open




Written By:KBC Reporters,    Posted: Tue, Jan 03, 2012
Public schools witnessed a low turnout as a result of high transport fares(File Picture)
Parents found themselves digging deeper into their pockets as bookstores and school uniform retailers hiked their prices.
Shopping stores and banking counters were filled with activity with parents trying to ensure their children were ready for school opening.
Some public schools witnessed low student turnout as a result of increased transport fares for those traveling from the rural areas following the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Parents have blamed the retailers of taking advantage of the back to school rush yet the inflation is still high.
Retailers have however defended themselves saying poor financial planning is to blame as parents wait to shop at the last minute.
Daisy Rono of the Text Book Centre advised parents to buy textbooks once their children close school in November. She said Kenyans have a tendency to do procrastinate important issues like paying school fees and buying books and uniform for their children
When asked about this Parents were quick to state that even in November prices on goods were not so friendly and thus would have strained their pockets anyway.
"When children close school we have to feed them, it's not just about school fees. The role of a parent does not only evolve around school." Said Richard Thuku
A spot check by KBC reporter Marion Kanari revealed that nearly all the students had reported for the first day of the term.
Customers of commercial banks in Kakamega town went to draw money unusually early today to pay school fees for their children who were reporting back to school for the new term.
A random survey by KBC in the town spotted long queues outside the banks as early as 7am.
Some parents and guardians were accompanied by their children as they queued to wait for opening of the banks.
In Vihiga ATM booths and bank counters experienced queues as parents rushed to pay schools fees as the new term commence.
Nanyuki town was a beehive of activities as schools open on Tuesday where students and pupils flooded the town.
A spot-check done by KNA in the town found the local bookshops were overwhelmed by the increased number of customers
Parents flocked the shops as they did shopping for their children of whom some were accompanying them.
It was also revealed that the prices of school commodities is high especially the textbooks straining the pockets of the parents.
Other sectors also had their share in booming business especially the sector of transport.
Students and pupils flooded the Nanyuki bus stage as they boarded vehicles to their schools.
Financial institutions experienced long queues as parents drew money for schools expenses.
Parents in Mombasa are opting to buy books second hand book resellers citing the high cost of buying books at normal bookshops.

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