Rilwan Hassan garnered 379 points as the county’s top performer, but he now lacks school fees.
In Summary
•Rilwan Maalim Hassan, 15, of Elwak subcounty, scored 379 out of 500 on her exam at Al-Uweis Primary School.
•However, her chances of completing secondary school are now in jeopardy.
The joy of a family in Mandera whose daughter was the best girl in the county in last year’s KCPE exam has turned to agony due to a lack of fees.
Rilwan Maalim Hassan, 15, of Elwak subcounty, scored 379 out of 500 on her exam at Al-Uweis Primary School. However, her ability to attend secondary school is now in jeopardy.
Speaking to the Star at their home on Sunday, the minor expressed concern that her family’s low socioeconomic status would prevent her from pursuing secondary education and eventually becoming a doctor.
She was enrolled at Moi Kapsowar Girls School in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“It hurts to be born into a poor family. I worked extremely hard to pass my exam. “However, I am now faced with the reality of dropping out of school and possibly marrying at a young age unless a well-wisher comes to my rescue,” she said.
“I feel sad when I see my colleagues with lower grades reporting or preparing to join their respective secondary schools,” she added.
“My mother is a housewife, and my father is a casual laborer who can only meet our family’s basic needs.” My parents have no idea where to turn.”
Maalim stated that she wishes to become a doctor in order to serve her community of Elwak, which does not have a single doctor. She asked anyone who cared, government agencies, and the county government to assist her in fulfilling her dream of attending secondary school.
Her mother, Nuria Somow, stated that her daughter has set a good example for many other girls in the county and in the region known for girls performing poorly, and that if she does not receive sponsorship to continue her education, it will be a big blow to girl child education in the county.
“When I took my girls to school, many local mothers discouraged me from doing so, claiming it was unimportant to educate girls, especially when my family is poor,” she added. “I defied their advice, and my daughter proved them wrong by performing well in her KCPE exam, but now she is disappointed because she can’t continue her education.”
Somow stated that her firstborn son, who also performed exceptionally well in his KCSE exam, is depressed at home because he was unable to attend university due to a lack of funds.
“My daughter has been crying a lot and refusing to eat for the last few days after she realized we couldn’t afford her secondary school fees.”
Story Courtesy of The Star
