The KCPE results have been released. The best have been announced, and their destinies almost plotted to its logical end – Alliance High School, then the University of Nairobi where they will study medicine and engineering courses.
This reminds me the day I did my KCPE a long time ago. I was lucky to have been in a good school hence the results were quite good.
Before then, I was in a public school, where the results didn’t have anything much to talk about. In the centre of a child’s performance is always a parent, wishing, praying and ringing them to do their best. What stands out in my mind is how my mother used to urge us to take education seriously, post good results.
At the time, I must admit, I did not know the importance of education. It seemed to me like an endless process whose ending was shrouded in mystery. However, I did work hard to avoid the wrath of my parents.
Mother would particularly point at that poor family and talk about how they posted good results despite their challenges. “Look at them, they have nothing to eat and yet they are outperforming you.”
It often came out of her mouth like a threat. She seemed to be threatening us that she would deny us food if we didn’t do well in school. And so we battled with the kids from less privileged backgrounds for the crown of the top student. Every end of a term, I was on the podium to receive a present, usually enamel cup exercise books. It was a joyous moment for me.
#hivisasaoriginal