A 37-year-old woman has surprised many after deciding to go back to Class Eight after 22 years.
Faith Karambu rolled back to Class Eight at Kiegoi Primary school in Igembe South constituency so that she can pursue her dreams.
The mother of three dropped out of school and got pregnant at a tender age, but she is now determined to brighten her future by furthering her education.
Asked about the reason she opted to go back to school, Karambu says her job-hunting missions have always failed due to lack of Academic Certificates.
“Every time I go looking for the least job possible, I am required to provide academic papers. I really need these papers. I will do my best to obtain good grades.” she says.
Karambu dropped out of school 22 years ago due to financial challenges, but she is in now a class eight student at Kiegoi Primary School, where she hopes to sit for her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams.
“Life without education has proved to be a big challenge. I am not ashamed of my decision. I want to set a good example to my children.” she adds.
Karambu also lost her husband to throat cancer in 2019, leaving her as the sole breadwinner for the family.
Several Kenyans have in the last two decades gone back to school after several years, probably inspired by Kimani N’gan’ga Maruge’s story.
Mr. Maruge, who died in 2009, is believed to be the oldest person who enrolled in primary school. He was a former Mau Mau fighter who decided to enroll for Primary School Education in 2002, when the Kibaki Government announced free primary education for all.
His path was not easy, as his enrollment was fiercely opposed by the school and government officials. It is believed that at the time of his enrollment he was 84, making him the oldest person in the world to enroll in school.
Mr. Maruge wanted to be able to read the Bible and count. He went to school alongside his two grandchildren. He lived for five years after his enrolment in school. He is entered in Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest person to attend primary school.
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