School Registration at Osiligi Obaya
It is my first day back in Osiligi and it is Registration Day. Parents who wish their child to be considered for a sponsored place in the PP1 class in January, must come to the school either today or tomorrow to complete forms. This will give enough time for an admission panel to consider all applications and to ensure there are enough sponsors in place. Many parents struggle with literacy so the teachers are required to help complete the forms.
The women (it is mostly women) begin to arrive at 8am and the line grows regularly throughout the morning and early afternoon. It is hot and sunny. Tables are set up outside the clinic where the teachers interview parents and complete the forms. Chairs are brought and placed under the shade of the borehole solar panel for those who are waiting. I know from previous trips that Kenyans are patient and uncomplaining when faced with long queues. Not at all like back home.
The women chat. Some of them complete beadwork and there is a gaggle of toddlers and babies attached to their mothers. They have come from far and wide – everyone walking here no matter the distance. The school’s reputation is growing – good exam results, no beatings, new teaching approaches and happy confident children. What’s not to like? As well as this, the pupils are fed breakfast and lunch unlike any other local school, which means there is one less mouth to feed.
It is already clear that there will be many more applicants than places. Luckily there is an admission policy. The places are for pupils where there is great poverty in the family. No family should have more than 1 pupil admitted to the school, unless they are the child of a warrior. Children should come from within 4km from the school. Families often find ways to get round this and the challenge for both teacher sand governors is to ensure that those in most need are allocated places.
After 2 days, the process is complete and the window is closed. Osiligi Obaya has received 107 applications for 25 places. On Monday, another 15 families arrive to complete applications but unfortunately, they have missed the deadline and are turned away. They are understandably disappointed. Getting a place at this school, immeasurably increase their child’s life chances. I am very grateful that it is not up to me to decide who makes the cut.
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