Parents and caregivers are bracing themselves for the new academic year set to begin on Monday, January 23.
Apart from school fees, whether paid in part or full, the guardians also have to do shopping for the school going children to ensure the learning continues smoothly.
Kenyans.co.ke took look at some of the most expensive items parents voluntarily or are coerced to buy on opening day.
Geometrical Set
At the beginning of every year, learners ask their parents to buy them a geometrical set, which is essential in mathematics, a compulsory subject in primary and secondary school.
Enclosed in a set is a 15-centimetre ruler, a two set squares, a compass, protractor which cannot be bought as a single piece in local retailers, thus the need to buy new ones.
The prices of a geometrical set ranges between Ksh220 and Ksh360 depending on the brand.
Scientific calculator
All secondary schools students including the 2.4 million pupils who sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exam need a scientific calculator.
The calculator is needed not only for mathematics but also science-related and other subjects. Education stakeholders recommend the FX82MS for learners, which costs between Ksh1,200-1,800, depending on the retailer.
Stationery
At the onset of every new academic year, most students require a new set of stationery including pens, pencils, exercise books.
The list is set to be longer under the competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The cost of pencils, pens and a 96-page exercise book is Ksh20, Ksh25 and Ksh70.
Notably, the number required depends on several factors including number of subjects taken and the amount of books per subject for instance, class work, homework and practical.
Text Books
A number of parents may also be forced to purchase text books for their students who will be moving to new grades and classes.
The average cost of text books ranges between Ksh600 and 1,200 a copy. Students in upper secondary schools are also required to purchase set books.
Uniform and Shoes
School-going children have been on a recess for about two months and that some of them have outgrown their school uniform is inevitable.
The cost of the school attire has been made expensive especially with schools directing parents to make purchases from specific shops.
Whether buying a full set of clothes or elements of the same, caregivers are forced to dig deeper into their pockets to at least ensure children have fitting uniform when they resume learners.
Sweaters range from Ksh600 while shirts, socks and shoes retail at Ksh450, Ksh250 and Ksh1,000 respectively. The price of uniform depends on the outlet.
