A Grade 10 student has stunned the community at Oriwo Boys High School in Homa Bay County after reporting to school barefoot and carrying only a manila bag as schools continue admitting learners under the government’s Grade 10 transition directive.
The student, Flavian Wasonga, scored 56 points at Olasi Comprehensive School in Nyakach, Kisumu County but nearly missed admission due to extreme poverty.
His family’s financial struggles worsened after the death of his father, leaving his mother, Mary Akoth, as the sole breadwinner.
Akoth is currently battling breast cancer, a condition that has prevented her from engaging in income-generating activities and meeting basic household needs.
Wasonga was discovered during a mop-up exercise led by Benter Akinyi, the area Assistant Chief, who was identifying learners yet to report to school.
After learning of his situation, the administrator facilitated his transport to Oriwo Boys High School, enabling him to report despite lacking shoes, uniform, bedding, or personal belongings.
Several other students have reported to the same school under similar circumstances. Evans Onyango arrived without adequate school requirements after failing to raise school fees. Michael Onyango, from Kisumu County and a former Grade 9 learner at Msingi School in Ragumu, reported with only the clothes he was wearing after his parents returned home to look for transport money.
Samwel Osieko, a student from Ukunda in Kilifi County, was brought to the school by his father, who later left in search of money and never returned.
Teachers later assisted him with a uniform.
Principal of Oriwo Boys High School, Tom Mboya Amadi, confirmed that the school has been admitting Grade 10 learners since January 12, many of whom come from severely impoverished households.
He said the school is currently struggling to support about 12 needy students who lack basic necessities.
The unfolding situation has sparked concern among education stakeholders, with calls for urgent intervention to ensure vulnerable learners are not locked out of education due to poverty, illness, and family hardship.
