Ruto’s school fees promise falters as students locked out of Grade 10

The President assured the nation that the government would meet all the costs to guarantee a 100 per cent transition. That promise is falling apart on the ground. 

We bring you the stories of disadvantaged learners who dared to believe the directive meant a second chance, only to be turned away at school gates, highlighting yet again an instance where the government fails to walk the talk, placing school heads in an impossible position.

This declaration by President William Ruto was a much needed reprieve for thousands of learners and their parents across the country who, until that time, had yet to report in Grade 10 due to various financial constraints. 

It was seemingly a lifeline they hoped would salvage their fast dwindling hopes of making the transition to senior school, taken in faith that surely a presidential directive was as good as law.

Full of hope and dreams, they trooped to the various schools armed with nothing but their calling letters and the President’s word, where they were in for a rude awakening. Helen Maweu, who scored 50 points and was offered a place at Ngaru Girls, was accompanied by her parents to claim her spot.

"Tuliambiwa bila school fees hawawezi kubali," said Stephen Maweu, Parent.

"Hapo nikakua disappointed nikakufa tu. Sasa nangojea tu Mungu anisaidie," said Helen Maweu, Grade 10 learner.

She is not an isolated case. Mukuru kwa Reuben is littered with many like her, Grade 10 learners stranded at home, unable to join the schools they were called to, because the President’s promise that the government would cater for all costs has remained just that, a promise, with no force on the ground. 

Ramsey Caros also reported to school, only to be turned away by the principal. Disillusioned and out of options, he has since given up on school and taken up casual jobs within the neighbourhood.

"Nilienda shule ikashindikana, nyumbani pia imeshindikana. Hadi sasa nimeanza kutafuta kazi, kuuza maji, machupa, ni hayo tu," said Ramsey Caros, Grade 10 learner.

"Mtoto wangu aliitwa Kisyukioni, na tukaenda but wakasema bila pesa haiwezekani. So tukarudi nyumbani na yeye," said Felister Mueni, Parent.

The learners and their parents are now calling on President William Ruto to walk the talk and ensure his directive is fully implemented. 

Despite the public declaration, headteachers across several schools have defied the order, insisting that learners must still pay fees, buy uniforms, bedding, and other essential items. 

Fifteen year old Denis Mutuku, who scored 60 marks and was admitted to Mumbuni Boys High School, still clings to hope that his dream of joining Grade 10 will come true, despite the odds currently stacked against him.

"Wakati President alisema tuende shuleni tulienda, mi na mom tukaambiwa lazima niwe na school fees tukarudishwa. Nikaambia mum akitafuta shule za hapa karibu sitasaidika because in future I want to be a software engineer," said Denis Mutuku, Grade 10 learner.

Regina Mulewa, who scored 57 marks and was admitted to ABC Mukaa Girls’ School, faced a similar fate. She was taken to school following the President’s directive, but the attempt was futile.

In Makadara, Nairobi, Glen Mosoti’s story mirrors theirs. After scoring 56 marks and being admitted to Kirogo Secondary School in Murang’a, he too was denied admission, the President’s directive notwithstanding.

"After tumefika huyo wa admission alikuja akaleta complaints ati haiwezekani turudi vile tumekuja," said Regina Mulewa, Grade 10 learner.

"Alisema hata kama serikali imesema twende, sasa mtu ukienda huko utakula nini? Saa akasema turudi mpaka tupate hizo beddings na pesa," said Glen Mosoti, Grade 10 learner.

Their faces carry the exhaustion of crushed dreams, dreams whose realisation is fast slipping away. A declaration that briefly gave them hope was abruptly cut short at the school gates.

In their defence, school heads argue that the government has failed to release additional funds to cater for such learners, adding that while they wish to comply with the President’s directive, they lack the capacity to absorb students who cannot pay fees.

For these children and their parents, the blame lies squarely with the government for making what they term an empty promise, as they wonder who bears the responsibility of ensuring those promises are implemented.