Nairobi. She is in Standard One against many
odds: At 78 years, she is frail, and within a week, she has already
skipped school for two days due to an illness.
To make matters worse, she smokes.
To make matters worse, she smokes.
Obambo Primary School in Siaya County admitted the
“pupil” this term. Mrs Mariana Ong’ango Ololo, now the 87th pupil in
the class, has left tongues wagging among residents of Yenga Village in
Obambo Sub Location.
When Nation visited the school two weeks ago, Mrs
Ololo was yet to be admitted, two days after she made her unannounced
entry to the school on May 14.
She had arrived clad in a full school uniform, her
head shaved clean and with a bag on her back. Her 56-year-old son
George Ololo, who is an alumnus of the school, was accompanying her as
the guardian.
Mrs Ololo however, could not join class just yet. The school headmaster advised her not to get into class before teachers held a meeting to discuss how to deal with her.
Mrs Ololo however, could not join class just yet. The school headmaster advised her not to get into class before teachers held a meeting to discuss how to deal with her.
“It is a unique case. We have to lay down a strategy of handling such an elderly pupil,” said Mr Joseph Mulo, the school head.
She was later admitted to class and attended
lessons from Monday, May 20, through Thursday. She could not make it to
school on Friday as she had fallen ill.
Her illness persisted through the weekend, meaning that she couldn’t make it to class Tuesday.
Mrs Ololo’s is a story of swimming against the tide.
A mother of eight and a widow since 2002, she is one of the few women in her matrimonial home who have an unwavering interest in politics — the biggest reason behind her decision to join school.
Her illness persisted through the weekend, meaning that she couldn’t make it to class Tuesday.
Mrs Ololo’s is a story of swimming against the tide.
A mother of eight and a widow since 2002, she is one of the few women in her matrimonial home who have an unwavering interest in politics — the biggest reason behind her decision to join school.
