As teachers, we observe and learn more about parents than many of you know. Especially Form One parents.
There are a few cases I can share, especially when parents are so concerned about their children.
I remember back when I was in high school, our school temporarily banned snacks and juices owing to some indiscipline cases. But Abraham - we used to call him Rama - found a way to sneak in some mandazis for the first few days after school reopening.
According to Rama, his mother used to make mahamri and hide them inside tissue papers. Haa! She would unwrap the tissues and then put the snacks into polythene bags.
I used to wonder why Rama, for the several months the ban was effected, used to purchase lots of tissue papers.
After being a teacher, I understood why. Being a parent means finding a balance between being there for your kids and smothering them with your presence.
But sometimes, parents believe being available always will ensure their children settle in well at school.
“Will my daughter really survive here? You know she is quite soft!” One parent wondered after we admitted her daughter to Form One.
“How often can I see my daughter?” Another asked we insisted that our school provide special cards for visitors.
The cards admit only two parents throughout the year but a representative can be sent after the parent contacts the class teacher or principal.
There was even one parent who wanted to always send a packed lunch every day but we assured her that all would be fine.
Now there was this one parent who missed the daughter’s admission and couldn’t wait until visiting day to see her.
“Mwalimu you know I had travelled overseas,” he told me via a phone call.
“And I won’t be around for the next six or seven months,” he added.
I saw it as an exception as he expressed how worried he was about falling out of favour with the daughter.
“In fact I even missed her birthday in December. But after the next six months I will be back home for quite some time,” he added.
We thought that he would show up at school as usual, like any other parent in a car or on foot and head towards the principal’s office then allow us to summon his daughter.
However, he came with fanfare and called us while he was 10 minutes away, stating that he was about to land. He had passed by Co-op Bank, he said, to withdraw some cash.
However, he landed 30 minutes before lunchtime and thus we managed the situation. Students were eager to learn about the guests who had landed impromptu. Nonetheless, being situated in Nairobi, most of them were accustomed to such incidents as we admit students from different backgrounds.
We usually inspect items brought into school by parents, and while interacting with Sophie’s father, ooh the daughter’s name is Sophie, we found a bunch of cash hidden inside an envelope.
“That’s for her pocket money. And I also have some cash to clear her full-year school fees. I heard the mother only paid for the first term,” the father stated.
“There’s no need for cash for her pocket money sir. In as much as we are okay with that. We encourage parents to adopt technology” the principal stated, adding that the money was safe if loaded on a card.
Parents can now get a CoopPay Card (pocket money card) for students from Co-op Bank.
“This is a Visa pre-paid card which you can load upfront and give your child to shop at the school canteen which has a machine for swiping.
“You can load the card from anywhere, anytime via Mpesa pay bill 400222 or the nearest Co-op Bank branch. Students can also withdraw cash while going home, from our school Co-op Agent,” the principal added.
The parent asked whether he was supposed to have a Co-op Account to apply for a card.
“No, you don’t. By the way, you will receive an SMS every time the card is used, and you can print mini statements from the nearest Co-op ATM or Co-op Bank Agent. Therefore, you can track when and where the card is used,” we stated, advising him to visit the nearest Co-op Branch to apply for the card .
On school fees, we advised him to pay school fees to Co-op Paybill 400222 on M-Pesa.
ACCOUNT: SCHOOLCODE#STUDENTNUMBER (no spaces). For example 1059#123456789.
Co-op Bank, via this link, provides school codes.
Fees can also be paid at Co-op Agent where cash deposit is free of charge. The student or parent can report with a paper receipt that will be taken by the accountant for filing.
“All you need is the school’s Co-op account number and the student’s admission number to pay,” I added.
Parents can also pay via the MCo-opCash App. Dial *667# or open the MCo-opCash app and log in with your MCo-opCash PIN. Select SEND MONEY. Select CO-OP ACCOUNT. Select OTHER CO-OP ACCOUNTS
Select ACCOUNT TO TRANSFER FROM. Select BENEFICIARY TYPE (ACCOUNT). Enter the BENEFICIARY ACCOUNT NUMBER. Enter the AMOUNT
Enter the reason for payment as the student number. Confirm the transaction and receive a confirmation SMS.
“I guess then my purpose for visit was just to see her,” the father added as we laughed.
After interacting with the student, before he flew out, the parent called me aside and stated that the wife had already given her daughter enough pocket money.
“I will get a card for her by next week. My wife will drop it. She will also pay school fees via M-pesa pay bill,” he added.
“Keep this envelope safe for yourself,” he added before he walked off with his aides.