Father of three goes back to school after 23 years

By Kenan Miruka

With his height and light body and dressed in neat uniform, one can easily mistake him for an ordinary secondary school pupil.

Only his chin - roughened by the many years of shaving the beard –– betrays his age. Meet Isaac Obare Ogao, 42, a father of three in Gucha South who has returned to school 23 years after quitting due lack of school fees.

Ogao, who is a student at Nyango Secondary School, says it is never too late to achieve his dream of becoming a teacher.

From left, Joan Chebet, 22, South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya and Obare Ogao, 42. Ogao and Chebet have returned to school to continue with their studies years after quitting. Photo: Kenan Miruka/Standard

He missed his first opportunity in 1987 when he sat for KCPE. Despite scoring 464 marks out of a possible 700 he could not join secondary school. His parents could not educate his nine other siblings and the lucky ones got to Form Four.

"After I dropped out of school, I tried farming, soapstone carving and business, I have realised only education could help me out,

" says Ogao. Now, he wants to train as a teacher after his secondary school education.

"After soul searching last year, I decided to go back to school to see if I could change my fortunes. I have realised education is the key to success. I told my wife and she supported me," he says.

His children were not surprised at his decision to return to school because he always helped them to do their homework. His eldest child will be sitting KCPE this year.

When he joined school, fellow students were not amused and for some time he was a laughing stock. Some boys poked fun at him.

Good performance

"The boys really gave me a hard time at first but they came to appreciate my situation. Owing to my good performance, they have come to like me," says Ogao. Despite his age, he was the best student last year in Form I.

The school’s principal Samwel Ongondi describes Ogao as a good student with potential to do well in academics. His favourite subject is Kiswahili.

"He has shown determination to achieve. The other students were uneasy at first but he is now one of them," says the principal.

Balancing between being a father and a student has been a daunting task.

"It is hard especially when it comes to finances. I have a family to feed and my wife is sickly. I have an outstanding hospital bill of Sh50, 000 to pay and I urge well-wishers to help," he says.

Followed example

At the neighbouring Ramoya Mixed Secondary School, Joan Chebet, 22, has returned to school following Ogao’s example.

The mother of two from Kericho dropped out of school after sitting for her KCPE four years ago, and got married at Bomocharo village in Gucha South.

"I quit school four years ago and got married. After giving birth to my two children, life has become difficult and my husband works as a houseboy in Nairobi to fend for us. I decided to return to school to change the situation," says Chebet.

Using part of the Sh800 her husband sends every month, she saved and bought school uniform.

"I leave my children with my mother-in-law who is supportive.

I realised quitting school was a wrong decision, which can be corrected considering my age," says Chebet.

Her teacher Susan Bisieri describes her as an average student who is determined and willing to learn.

"Other students ridiculed her at first but teachers took the matter up and counselled her. She is always punctual and talented in co-curricular activity," says Ms Bisieri.

She is active in athletics and ball games. Teachers say she is an inspiration to the 180 students at the school as she juggles between her roles as a mother and student.

Chebet hopes to be a policewoman after her studies. South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya promised to ensure they get bursary from the Constituency Development Fund until they complete their studies.