In the Kokuro area of Awendo, Migori County, both teachers and students at a local school are grappling with astonishment as their top-performing candidate from the 2023 KCPE exam, Jerry Orido, has chosen to return to enroll in Grade 6 rather than progressing to high school. Despite achieving an impressive score of 374 marks, which would typically warrant entry into high school, Orido has opted to continue his education at St Mercy Primary, the institution where he took the national examinations.
The perplexing decision stems from Orido’s realization that his parents are financially incapable of covering his secondary school fees, particularly for his intended enrollment at Kanga High School. Expressing his disappointment, Orido observes that he finds it disheartening to witness his peers, whom he outperformed in the national exams, move on to secondary schools while he is left unable to pursue his educational aspirations.
Orido clarifies that he cannot progress to Grade 7 or Grade 8 since students in those classes are also required to pay school fees. Despite the challenges he faces, Orido maintains optimism and hopes that a benevolent benefactor will step forward to sponsor his secondary school education, allowing him to continue his academic journey.
