Fare Hikes and Rising School Supply Costs Burden Parents.
As schools across the country reopen, parents and students in Meru County are grappling with various challenges, including surging transportation costs and rising prices of school essentials.
The increased cost of transportation has significantly strained household budgets, forcing many families to make financial adjustments, according to Mr. Paul Mutuku, a parent in Meru.
The reopening season has also caused a frenzy in Meru town’s bookshops, as parents flood the stores with lengthy lists of textbooks, tools, and materials required under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which demands more resources compared to the previous 8-4-4 system.
In contrast to the busy bookshops, uniform shops have seen fewer customers this year. The reduced activity has been attributed to the high cost of living, which has limited parents’ ability to afford new uniforms for their children.
Many families are increasingly worried about meeting the demands of the new school term. Some parents are calling on the government to step in by either providing learning materials or subsidizing their costs to ease the burden.
Deputy Governor Urges Road Safety Measures
Meanwhile, Meru County Deputy Governor, Mr. Isaac Mutuma, has raised concerns about road safety during the back-to-school period.
He urged the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and Traffic Police to closely monitor public service vehicles transporting students and other travelers to prevent road accidents.
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He observed that some matatu operators prioritize profit during the school rush, often disregarding passenger safety.
Most passengers during this time are learners, making the situation particularly concerning. Mr. Mutuma emphasized the need for strict oversight, stating that the responsible agencies must act to safeguard the lives of Kenyans, especially young learners who are striving to build a better future for the country.
Fare Hikes and Rising School Supply Costs Burden Parents
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