Hallo wazuans,

Lets say your son had 430 marks, and his 1st choice was Alliance, which means he is assured of admission at Alliance. Then a good private school offers him full scholarship for 4 years. The normal school fees for the private school is in the range of 300K per year.

Would you take the offer ??

I think its asking too much when the private school in question is not mentioned unless its just an imaginary scenario.

That said, I would be of a contrary opinion, if the said private school has good connections it might be a better choice because the kid might have access to a further scholarship to a good university outside the country.

Some private schools especially the good ones, provide very good exposure to the kids, including foreign trips and access to better facilities and conducive environments.

Plus financially the money you save during the 4 years, around 400-500 thousands can at least put the kid through a private university.

Please explain/substantiate the merits or lack thereof of studying in a foreign university vis-a-vis a local one.

The home environment is more important than any school the child goes to. In my opinion the best school is a day school where the teachers show up to teach and then the child goes home.

The people who think highly of Alliance only know of the few prominent individuals not the many average ones and definitely not the many dysfunctional alcoholics, university dropouts and Mathare patients. A 14-15 year old is not a man, he is a child who needs stability and guidance. Many Alliance parents abdicate this responsibility because they think their child has arrived.

FRM2011, you are a reasonable man. If the parents of this child are looking to you for guidance let them know that the child has not grown up just because they have done well in KCPE. If he ends up going to Alliance be sure to visit as often as you can to encourage and talk to him. Visiting is not just about taking food or going to admire him and praise him but a time to find out what is really going on with his life, what his fears and anxieties are and to encourage ...... to foster the courage within him to face challenges but also to know that he has parents and other adults who care about his well being.