Does literacy month help Kenyans balance Easter celebrations and Back to school

Written by Oral East Africa

April offers families the mid-year pause for celebration, then the school reopens, ushering the typical confusion that impacts a lot for families balancing limited finances. Coincidentally, it is also Financial Literacy Month when we should really learn and apply better money decisions.

The Easter season comes with a sense of joy. Families reconnect, travel picks up, and for many, it is a moment to pause and celebrate. But as the holiday glow fades, another reality sets in for households across the country the looming return to school. Uniforms, tuition, transport, and school supplies await, bringing with them a different kind of planning.

But April, which also marks Financial Literacy Month, reminds us of the importance of thoughtful financial decisions. Yet for many families, balancing the excitement of the holidays with the weight of back-to-school expenses remains a challenge. Impulsive holiday spending, often unplanned, can lead to financial pressure that lingers long after the celebrations have ended.

At a time when education remains one of the largest household costs, there is an even greater need for practical, people-centered financial solutions. This season, several institutions are beginning to reimagine how financial literacy can show up in daily life. It is no longer about workshops and brochures alone, but about meeting families where they are with accessible tools, advice, and support.

Among the institutions leaning into this challenge Absa Bank Kenya has taken a practical approach to the financial realities that come with seasonal transitions like Easter and back-to-school. Its recent payment partnerships with selected hospitality brands, offering discounts and flexible payment options, form part of a broader effort to provide relevant, timely support to customers. Rather than isolated offers, these initiatives reflect a strategic view of banking, one that responds to real-life moments with solutions that ease pressure and enable better financial planning.

Equally, the approach to the back-to-school period has focused on relief that is both practical and timely. From affordable personal loans to flexible repayment structures, and a digital suite that allows seamless payment of school fees via Timiza and Absa credit cards, the bank is making it easier for parents to manage one of the most financially sensitive times of the year.

These financial tools help customers track expenses, plan better, and stay in control. Options such as buy-now-pay-later have become especially relevant, offering financial flexibility for families navigating budget shortfalls without resorting to more costly credit.

As the school term approaches, what becomes clear is that financial institutions have a role to play beyond products. They must understand timing, context, and emotion. In that regard, financial literacy is a concept to be taught, and a value to be lived.

This April, let us recognise that supporting families through the back-to-school season is more than about offering services, but about standing with them in moments that matter. When businesses act with empathy and foresight, they do more than facilitate transactions, they become enablers of stability and growth.