Taming costs of joining high school

By John Kariuki

This year’s Form One selection is in progress and many parents are looking forward to their children joining high school.

In this joy of academic transition, many parents go on spending sprees in the quest of taking their children to secondary school.

Some don’t read the fine print in admission letters or take a second thought on the items schools demand. But with skillful scrutiny and buying, you can save a modest amount of cash.

Rather than take their children to far and expensive schools, some parents often take the less expensive option of day or mission schools in their vicinity. In government day schools, books and tuition are subsidised under the free secondary education programme.

In mission schools, fees and other requirements may be reasonable. There are no hidden boarding costs, which some public schools have ballooned to about Sh30,000 a term, in breach of government controls and regulations. The rationale here is that food is expensive and other overheads like water and electricity.

In some schools, there are extra charges for elitist extra curriculum activities that may not augment formal education like laundry, tours, games and sports. New parents may be required to get on stream in a development project with their contributions among other "joining fees".

Many parents are often carried away by the excitement of their children progressing to high school and have no control on what is to be bought. Often, some children demand a total overhaul of their wardrobes with unnecessary things like dozens of sports kits — in January.

There have been cases where some, seizing the generous moment, have demanded for mobile phones, wrist watches, expensive toiletries and even beauty makeovers. All these side buys can easily amount to an extra and unplanned Sh15,000.

Superfluous expenditure

Unless you stamp down your foot, all these superfluous expenditures will push the initial estimates of taking your child to secondary school on a roller coaster and could even eat into school fees that you have set aside.

So, if you are a parent, be honest with yourself and scrutinise every little and innocuous demand vis a vis the life your child has led all along. Joining a new school need not be a justification for a change in social class at the cost of domestic penury.

Many schools often send a list of things that new students should bring. Such items include copies of the bible, an atlas, a dictionary, a novel and a pail for doing washing. Others include a mug, a plate and a spoon, tennis racket or hockey stick.

By taking from home what is available, you can considerably cut down on the cost. These include personal effects like mirrors, combs, bath sandals, shoe brushes and toothbrushes. These items may look insignificant, until you add up the amount of money required to buy them afresh.

Books can be bought from one shop where a discount can be negotiated. Alternatively, they can be sourced from second hand dealers or friends who have already completed secondary school.

Best bargain

Unless specified that the school uniform must be bought from a recommended outlet, shop around for the best bargain. There are some brands of canvas shoes that are popular with students because of their durability. Go for such instead of fancy designs that may be expensive in the long run.

Also, ensure your child’s mug and plate are plastic, and therefore unbreakable, in case you have to buy them. And metal boxes for putting all these things in can be bought from Jua Kali artisans. They are sturdier and will serve the purpose better.