Next year, parents will have a harder time than they did at the beginning of 2013. This is becauseof the government decision to tax items that have always been exempted.  This will automatically lead to a tremendous rise in the cost of living. This has made many schools increase the school fees charged, some seeing an increase of close to Ksh 10 000. This means that come January, parents will have to dig deeper into their pockets.

The value added tax also has a great impact on learning aids such as books. This further increases the burden that parents will bear when taking their children to school next year.  The government also went ahead and decided to allow book publishers to increase the price of books by 14% in addition to the 16 % VAT.  

Therefore, as you continue enjoying your holidays, make sure that you have spared an amount that is twice as high as the amount you kept aside to take your children to school last year. There is no doubt that this time you are going to spend a lot more than what you spent last year.