Bright but needy Rhamu student set to miss Form One slot over lack of fees

MANDERA—A bright but needy student in Rhamu is on the verge of losing his placement in Form One due to lack of fees.

Khalid Abdullahi Abdi who did his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCPE) at the Al Hidaya Integrated Academy in Rhamu, scored 305 marks out of 500, Kenya National Examinations Council transcript seen by Kulan Post indicates.

“I have a growing fear that I might lose my chance to join secondary school despite the hardwork I put into my final primary exams (KCPE),” Khalid said on the phone.

Khalid, an orphan, is the eldest child of a single mother who do odd jobs to support her family.

“ I have no means of supporting his secondary school education. I would like to ask the leaders, the government or the well-wishers to save my son’s future,” his mother said.

Khalid’s former primary school headteacher termed Khalid “hardworking, good in academic work and has a great attitude towards learning.” He added that: “He is disciplined and was chairman of the Islamic Society.”

Khalid got a placement at Elwak Secondary School, but remains skeptical that he would join his former classmates for the next phase of his academic journey due financial constraints. The school fees is no more than sh 20,000 in the first term.

After his ordeal was shared on Facebook by a neighbor, Bishar Abdullahi on December, a representative from the office of Mandera North MP came knocking with a pledge to support Khalid’s leap into high school, but a month later, that promise is yet to materialize.

“No help yet,” Bishar told Kulan Post when reached for update on Khalid’s prospect of joining high school.

As part of President Uhuru’s campaign pledges of 100% transition to secondary school, the government is planning to award 9,000 scholarships to deserving learners in the 30 counties, Prof Magoha, the CS for Education said during the release of the KCPE result on November.