When one steps into Kibowen Komen primary school, it is hard to tell the challenges that majority of the learners go through in a quest to quench their thirst for education.

Linet Kwamboka, a parent at Kibowen Komen primary school.

Photo credit: PRISTONE MAMBILI|MTAA WANGU

Linet Kwamboka, a parent at the school, reveals that she has been struggling to raise her four children after her husband was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Despite the government declaring primary education free, Ms Kwamboka says meeting other requirements such as uniforms for her two children at Kibowen primary remains a challenge.

She however has continued to do casual jobs as well as selling samosas in the streets around Weaver’s estate, to sustain herself and meet the basic needs for her children.

“Life is so harsh especially as a single mother. My children have been surviving by grace,” she says.

On the other hand, Anastacia Kavaya, a resident of Rhonda estate has two children with one already in grade 3.

The single mother says uniform purchase has been her greatest challenge with uniform now costing Sh 700, sweater Sh 650, and a pair of shoes going for Sh 650.

“I still have fee arrears from two years ago when my child was in grade one. Luckily, I got a well-wisher who has been buying uniforms for my child,” says Ms Kavaya.

The two parents are a representation of what many parents in the slum areas go through to ensure their children get education.

Kibowen Komen Primary School Head teacher, Peter Gitau.

Photo credit: PRISTONE MAMBILI| MTAA WANGU

Kibowen Komen primary school head teacher Peter Gitau sadly notes that majority of the pupils wear tattered school uniforms and torn shoes while others come in home clothes.

This prompted Mr Gitau to ease the rule of 'strict adherence to the school uniform', and instead allows the pupils to 'come as they are'.

“I talked to all the teachers and told them the children should be allowed to go to class in any clothes since majority of the parents cannot even afford money for food,” he says.

He is however quick to note that despite the challenges, the school has shown some improvement in performance having recorded a mean score of 226- an increase from the previous year’s mean score of 208.

“Government and well-wishers should support such schools in informal settlements to boost the morale of these learners,” Mr Gitau adds.

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Kibowen Komen: Where pupils wear anything to school

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Pristone Mambili