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Back to school memories every Kenyan can relate to
27th August, 2025 07:19 AM
As the holiday season has drawn to a close, schools across the country are once again opening their doors to millions of learners.
For many Kenyans, this season does more than just mark a return to books and classrooms—it stirs up a wave of nostalgia. The phrase “back to school” instantly unlocks a treasure chest of memories, some hilarious, others stressful, but all deeply relatable.
Here are five back-to-school experiences almost every Kenyan has lived through.
Sunday evening panic
The final Sunday before opening day was always tense. After weeks of playing from dawn till dusk, suddenly reality hit. Parents would be chasing you to polish shoes, iron uniforms, and label books. Many remember that anxious stomach ache the night before school started.
Rush for new uniforms and shoes
Every January (and sometimes May or September), queues outside uniform shops and Bata outlets would snake across towns. Parents dragged reluctant children from stall to stall, bargaining for sweaters, socks, and that infamous pair of Toughees shoes. For some, the biggest excitement was trying on shiny new attire, while others dreaded stiff collars and oversized shorts “to grow into.” The smell of fresh leather shoes and new fabric remains unforgettable.
Covering books with brown paper
Few things symbolise back-to-school more than buying rolls of brown paper and stacks of manila folders. Parents insisted every single exercise book had to be neatly covered and labelled before classes began.
Some of us loved the task, while others saw it as punishment. The sharp smell of glue, neatly folded corners, and handwriting practice on the labels still linger in our memories. Those who lacked brown paper often improvised with old newspapers or calendars, much to teachers’ annoyance.
The first-day chatter
Walking into the classroom on opening day was always exciting. Everyone had stories to tell about their holiday adventures—some true, others wildly exaggerated. Who travelled upcountry, who got new toys, who stayed home glued to cartoons—these conversations filled the air. There was also the unavoidable comparison of new shoes, bags, and even lunch boxes. It was a time to show off, but also a time when one’s social ranking was silently established.
Heavy bags and early morning struggles
No memory is more universal than the struggle of carrying an oversized bag on the first day. Stuffed with freshly bought books, mathematical sets, and often unnecessary items packed by overzealous parents, the bag felt like a tonne of bricks. Add to this the shock of waking up early after weeks of sleeping in, and you have the perfect recipe for groggy faces and dragging feet.
Looking back, these back-to-school rituals may have seemed stressful, even annoying, at the time. Yet today, they form part of cherished childhood memories that bind Kenyans across generations. Whether it was the nervous Sunday evenings, the smell of new uniforms, or the thrill of catching up with friends, every Kenyan student lived through some version of this season.
Back-to-school wasn’t just about learning; it was about growing up, laughing, and carrying experiences that remain unforgettable long after the classroom doors closed.
