As schools reopen for the second term tomorrow, many Kenyan parents are facing an overwhelming financial strain due to the skyrocketing costs of school supplies, textbooks, and uniforms. Unlike previous years when bookshops and uniform centers were flooded with last-minute shoppers, this year’s back-to-school season has seen a noticeable dip in activity. Bus stations and major shopping areas in Nairobi were less crowded, as only a few parents and students made preparations for the reopening.
A significant number of parents shared that they had opted to travel early in an effort to avoid the usual Monday rush. However, timing was not their only challenge. The reopening of schools coincides with rising financial pressures, exacerbated by the high cost of living. With many workers still awaiting their end-of-month pay, the strain on family budgets has been severe. As Jonstone Muyelele, a parent, explains, “What we used to buy for 100 shillings now costs 200.” This inflation, coupled with the need to purchase multiple textbooks, has made it increasingly difficult for parents, particularly those with more than one child.
The implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has only added to the financial burden. New requirements, such as laptops for students, have driven up expenses, leaving many parents scrambling to meet these needs. Kimanzi, another parent, remarked, “From books to laptops required by the CBC curriculum, the prices are high. As a parent, you just have to gather strength and push through.”
Vendors of school uniforms and supplies are also feeling the pinch, reporting a sharp decline in sales compared to previous years. Mercy Musumba, a uniform seller, noted, “Today I haven’t made a single sale. On a day like this, we’d usually have sold to over 100 customers.”
Education stakeholders have expressed concern over this trend, warning that the subdued shopping activity highlights the deepening economic hardships facing Kenyan families. There are growing calls for government intervention to reduce the financial burden on parents and ensure that education remains accessible to all.
