Parents cut short Christmas as school costs bite

By Newsflash Writer

As Christmas decorations were taken down earlier than usual in many households, parents across the country quickly turned their attention to a more urgent concern: the reopening of schools in January.

For thousands of families, holiday celebrations were abruptly shortened as parents flocked to bookshops, uniform stores and open-air markets in a desperate bid to prepare their children for the new school year.

In major towns, established bookshops and formal uniform outlets reported fewer customers than expected, even as street traders and sellers of second-hand uniforms enjoyed booming business. Sidewalks that had recently been filled with Christmas vendors selling toys and decorations were rapidly converted into makeshift stalls stacked with worn sweaters, faded trousers and assorted textbooks.

“This year has been very hard,” said a parent in Nairobi.
“I would have liked to buy new uniforms and books, but the money is simply not there. What matters is that my children go back to school. Whether the uniform is new or second-hand, the teacher will still teach,” she said.

Many parents echoed the same view, saying items once viewed as necessities have now taken a back seat to the overriding priority of keeping children in school. With the cost of food, rent and transport still high, households are being forced to make painful compromises.

Cost pressures reshape school shopping

The situation has triggered concern among education officials, particularly the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), which has recently warned of an increase in counterfeit textbooks entering the market.

KICD says fake books aimed at learners in Grades 7 to 10 have become more widespread since the introduction of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Often poorly printed and riddled with errors, these books are sold cheaply, making them appealing to cash-strapped parents.

“KICD does not approve books sold on the streets,” said KICD chief executive Prof Charles Ong’ondo. “Fake textbooks undermine the quality of education. Learners may study incorrect content, which affects their comprehension and performance. Parents should always confirm approved titles before buying.”

Parents torn between cost and quality

Despite these cautions, many parents admit they feel cornered by their financial reality. “We understand the risks, but when an approved book costs Sh1,200 and a street copy is Sh400, what option do you really have?” said another parent.

The government has repeatedly promised to crack down on cartels involved in the printing and distribution of counterfeit books.

Joint operations by KICD, the Ministry of Education and security agencies have resulted in occasional seizures, though the problem persists.

For many families, the burden goes beyond finances. Cutting short Christmas celebrations — often the only time of rest in a difficult year — has become a symbol of the sacrifices parents are making to ensure their children remain in school.