Lawmaker Wants School Uniforms Standardized
The National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Gladys Shollei, recently called for the Ministry of Education to review its policy on school uniforms.
In an interview on Citizen TV on February 6, the Uasin Gishu Woman Representative expressed concern about the rising costs of uniforms and the impact this has on parents and students.
She noted that many students have been left behind despite receiving bursaries because they could not afford to purchase uniforms and food.
The lawmaker claimed that some schools have been exaggerating the uniforms required and creating an unreasonable financial burden on parents.
She called for standardized uniforms and criticized the excessive costs of various uniform items such as tracksuits, sweaters, ties, shirts, and trousers.
Shollei also challenged members of parliament to work with headteachers in identifying students in need, to ensure that no child misses out on secondary education.
In addition to the high cost of uniforms, Shollei questioned the necessity of compulsory school uniforms. She suggested that there is no direct relationship between the quality of education and the type of clothing students wear.
The Trade Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria, agreed with Shollei’s views and stated that the absence of school uniforms in America does not affect the quality of education.
He also announced that the Ministry of Education has sent a circular to schools, allowing parents to choose where they purchase uniforms.
Despite these concerns, the Education Principal Secretary (PS), Belio Kipsang, issued a directive for uniform vendors to ensure that uniforms are affordable.
He emphasized the importance of providing good quality uniforms at a reasonable cost to boost students’ morale.
In conclusion, the issue of school uniforms has become a contentious topic in Kenya, with lawmakers and educators expressing different views on its necessity and affordability.
While the Ministry of Education has made efforts to ensure that uniforms are affordable, more needs to be done to help families cope with the rising costs.
Members of parliament, educators, and other stakeholders need to work together to find a solution that ensures that all students have equal access to education and opportunities.
Lawmaker Wants School Uniforms Standardized
