This archive report was first published on 28 June 2021.
June 28, 2021 - The harsh reality of school fees has left many young girls in Kenya without access to education, forcing them to drop out of school and seek alternative means of survival.
According to Shanita Anyango, a young girl who was forced to drop out of school due to lack of funds, the situation is dire. 'I dropped out of school when I was in form two because my parents could not afford to pay my school fees and we had no money to cater for our needs,' she said.
Anyango's mother is a single parent who struggles to make ends meet, and the family's financial situation has left them with no choice but to prioritize their basic needs over education. 'My mum does casual work to cater for our needs, so she could not afford to pay school fees for my siblings and me,' Anyango explained.
The consequences of dropping out of school are severe, with many young girls turning to early marriage and boys turning to crime. Anyango's story is a stark reminder of the need for support and assistance to help these young girls complete their education and pursue their dreams.