Form One shocker for schools, traders

As secondary schools opened on Monday for first term this year, institutions managers and business persons are grappling with the reality of lack of Form One admissions.

School managers and traders who sold uniforms, books and other items have been hit by new realities, experiencing a significant shift, as there are no Form One admissions for the first time in 39 years.

The ripple effects of this change is being felt across various sectors, particularly in education and businesses traditionally linked to the back-to-school season.

The schools will no longer receive the usual government funding allocated for Form One students, estimated at Sh22,244 per learner, as part of the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme.

This loss of funding is a major concern for school heads.

Willy Kuria, the National Chairperson of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA), said that secondary schools are already facing financial difficulties, with a Sh7,000 deficit per learner in 2024. 

“We are grappling with debts, with some schools owing up to Sh70 million. The absence of Form One students further exacerbates our financial crisis, as expenses for utilities and staff salaries remain the same,” Kuria explained.

Kuria noted that mostly going to be affected will be the upcoming schools.

"Sub Counties and County schools with small population will really bare it most. In case of delayed capitation, school heads will suffer most," he stated.

Basic Education Principal Secretary, Belio Kipsang, last year warned principals of engaging in illegal transfers of learners to fill their school.

Kipsang emphasized the importance of addressing congestion in classrooms and dormitories, ensuring that schools comply with Ministry guidelines before declaring any vacancies. 

Moreover, the lack of Form One students means that secondary schools will have an excess of empty classrooms and facilities. 

Kuria noted, “Classrooms built for junior secondary that were meant to house Form Ones will remain unused, leaving us with a lot of idle space,” he stated.

Some schools are now turning to parents for additional funds to cover the financial gap. 

“We are asking parents to help us bridge the gap, as resources are limited this year,” Kuria added.

Benson Manoo principal at Machakos School said schools will also be strained on financing co-curricula activities. 

"With low populations, some schools will not be able to fund sporting activities hence denying some learners to explore their talents," said Manoo.

Businesses are also facing the reality of the advent of CBC.

The absence of Form One students has caused a noticeable dip in demand for various goods and services traditionally associated with the start of the academic year. 

Retailers, especially those selling school uniforms, books, and stationery, are reporting a quieter-than-usual back-to-school season.

Publishers and bookstores, which usually see a surge in sales due to the need for Form One textbooks, are particularly affected. With the transition to CBC, and fewer students enrolling in secondary schools, many businesses are left with unsold stock. One bookstore owner, said: “We’ve seen a significant decline in demand this year. There are many textbooks that we usually stock for Form One students, but there’s simply no market for them this time.”

The shift has also impacted artisans like Geoffrey Amboka who specialize in making school trunks and bags. 

“Every year, we would get a lot of orders from parents preparing their children for Form One,” said Amboka who is based in Nairobi. 

“But this year, things have been very slow. The new system is affecting us more than we thought.”

Those dealing with uniforms are not spared. 

Frederick Jahonga sales representative at Uniform distrutors said this is going to impact businesses seriously.

"Early in the year, we heavily relly on form one admission. With the changes, this is our undoing," he said.

Sentiment shared by Jane Mukami, a dealer in school mattresses.

"We depend on children to survive, this year we are struggling to meet our obligation to school our own," said Mukami.

Primary schools are also feeling the strain of increased enrolment, as they now have to cater to both primary and junior secondary education. 

The overcrowding issues previously experienced by secondary schools are now shifting to the primary level, creating further infrastructure shortages. Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Akelo Misori highlighted the strain on primary schools.

“With the increased enrolment, primary schools are facing shortages in classrooms and learning spaces,” stated Misori.

Benson Baridi, an educationist said both education leaders and business owners will need to navigate these new realities.

"They should learn to balance the demands of the evolving education sector with the challenges of financial sustainability," said Baridi.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said, while the immediate impact of no Form One admissions is causing disruptions for schools and businesses, the transition to the CBC curriculum marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s education system. 

"The government continues its efforts to enhance infrastructure and adjust funding allocations to our learning institutions," said Ogamba