After weathering public humiliation, girl now denied Grade 10 admission over school fees

‎Her dream is to become a pilot. She always imagines herself in the cockpit one day, soaring above the clouds, far removed from the hardships that now define her daily life. Today, that dream is slowly slipping away.

The Grade Nine learner remains at home, unable to transition to Grade 10, even as other, more privileged students begin their studies after reporting to school. 

While her classmates settle into secondary school life, her days are spent helping with household chores, quietly hoping that a well-wisher will come through and give her a chance to continue her education.

This is not the first time *Ann ( Not her real name) faces uncertainty.

In 2025, Mtaa Wangu featured her story after she and her Grade four younger sister were publicly humiliated by a teacher for not wearing undergarments at their Kenana Primary School. The incident sparked national outrage, drawing condemnation from Kenyans, education stakeholders, and human rights activists, and ignited conversations around poverty, dignity, and access to education.

In the aftermath, the Nakuru County Ministry of Education stepped in to provide psychosocial support, enabling the girl to return to school. Determined not to let the incident define her future, Ann buried her head into books and later sat the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) exam, scoring an impressive 53 points.

Her mother tells Mtaa Wangu, her performance earned her selection to join Grade 10 at Kipsigis Girls High School in Kericho County,an opportunity she believes could place her on the path toward achieving her dream of becoming a pilot.

However, weeks later, that transition remains uncertain.

Ann's Mother notes "Despite public pledges and assurances made at the height of the controversy her daughters experienced, some by political leaders who promise to clear her school fees or personally sponsor her daughter’s education, little has materialised."

The mother says as the new school term progresses, her daughter remains at home while her peers continue with their studies.

According to her mother, lack of school fees and basic requirements has made it impossible for her daughter to report to school. Mentioning that efforts to follow up on earlier commitments have borne no fruit, leaving the family stranded and anxious.

“The term has already started, but she is still at home. She wants to learn, but we do not have the means. Even for a day school option, we cannot afford the uniform and learning materials required,” the mother says. 

She further adds the prolonged stay at home is taking an emotional toll on the 16-year-old from Njoro Sub-County, who recounts the struggles she endures even before sitting her exams.

" She would sometimes attend school without breakfast and frequently be sent home to collect fees while others remained in class. However, that did not push her spirit down; instead she worked even harder promising me better grades," the mother says.

Ann says the hardship only fuels her determination.

“I used to stay up late to catch up on lessons I missed when sent home for fees. I believed I would pass and join secondary school. Now I am still at home. The reporting deadline was January 16.” the grade 10 student says.

As weeks pass, uncertainty continues to cloud her future. Without urgent intervention, she risks an bandoning her education altogether, grounding her dream of becoming a pilot before it ever takes flight.

For now, she waits at home, clinging to promises made but yet to be fulfilled.

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