By Betty Luke
When Education Cabinet Secretary Dr George Magoha announced the 2020 KCPE results on April 15, 2021, a family of a 13-year-old boy who scored 378 marks at Isiolo Barracks Primary school broke into celebrations.
Khalid Hassan had high hopes that he would proceed to secondary school to be able to alleviate his single mother from the yokes of poverty later in life.
Unknown to him, three months later, his family would be struggling to have him step his foot in Secondary School due to financial constraints.
Mr Hassan, sixth born in a family of eight boys from Kiwanjani, had threatened to commit suicide when his mother, Ms Sadia Hassan, told him that she would not afford to pay his fees for admission at Meru School.
The family has since the results were announced approached several leaders and local banks for assistance but to no success even as reporting date of August 2 draws closer.
“I had great hopes that I would qualify for the Wings to Fly scholarship because the manager had promised that, but until now no one has responded including KCB bank,” the distraught boy said.
The single mother said she had previously reached out to Isiolo North MP Hassan Odha to help her raise about Sh80, 000 inclusive of school fees, uniform and shopping for the boy but the legislator did not respond.
“My son was contemplating suicide, I have tried reaching out to several leaders but no one is bothered,” said Ms Hassan.
Ms Hassan said though five of her sons had completed their secondary school education, none had proceeded to tertiary institutions or secured a job to support the younger siblings.
“If the elder brothers had jobs they would have helped him (Khalid) but they have no reliable source of income,” she told The Press Point.
Isiolo Parents’ Association chair Mr Ismael Galma castigated local leaders for failing to honour their promises of helping bright but needy learners access education.
He noted that several parents were encountering similar challenges educating their children.
“This boy maneuvered through all challenges faced in public schools, managed to score good marks, and despite applying for several sponsorship programs was not assisted,” Mr Galma lamented.
The disturbed mother now wants leaders and well-wishers to come to her aid so that her son joins school on August 2, 2021.
“I need help because this is the child I am hopeful will help me in the future,” she said while breaking into tears.
