Rethinking the high cost of institutionalised education

The increasing cost of education has been very much on my mind since the new term begun. But it was fast tracked to the top of my to-do-list when my daughter presented an invoice indicating yet again an increase in transport charges by the school bus company that transports her to school everyday. The most nagging (and patronizing) aspect was that unlike last term’s increment which had been communicated and discussed in a parents’ meeting, this term, the company didn't even bother to communicate or explain the new charges. It was assumed that parents would "understand" anyway, and pay up. Afterall, we are all working our butts off to ensure our kids get the best education that money can buy, right? Unfortunately, many of us are now spending a lot more than we are earning, as our incomes have not increased to match the level of inflation and the increasing cost of goods and services. A small loaf of bread now costs shs2500, up from 1800. Sugar is up to Shs3400. A good sized fish, enough to feed a family of four costs Ugshs7000, while a kilo of meat is retailing at Shs10,000 upwards depending on where you buy it. Four small tomatoes go for Shs1,000 while a litre of petrol is trading at Shs3850. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Almost everyone I know has tightened their belts to try and weed out any unnecessary expenditure in order to weather the current recession, which is likely to go on for months, if not years! But if costs continue to rise, and the dollar keeps gaining against the shilling, service providers and middle-men will continue passing the costs onto the end-users and causing many of us to make certain choices out of desperation rather than logic. One of these choices that am currently evaluating is whether to chuck institutionalized learning and try homeschooling my children, primarily to reduce costs, although I feel it would also give them a much more wholesome educational experience that affords them more opportunities to explore their sporting and creative talents. I have given myself up to January next year to do more research, and decide whether to do it or not.