School Uniforms: JSS and Form One Transitions Pose Challenges for Parents and Schools
As Form One students gear up for Monday’s reporting and Grade 7 learners transition to junior secondary school, a cloud of uncertainty looms over parents and schools due to conflicting orders from Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu regarding uniform standardization.
In a recent directive, Machogu allowed parents the freedom to purchase school uniforms from the open market, provided that school principals offered clear guidelines on attire. Contrary to this directive, school principals are persistently instructing parents to buy uniforms exclusively from specified shops, thus disregarding Machogu’s order.
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This situation has led to financial strain on parents, with some school fee structures indicating uniform costs reaching as high as Sh20,000. This contradicts the government’s longstanding efforts to alleviate the financial burden on parents.
The confusion is compounded by Machogu’s statement, granting Grade 7 learners the option to continue using their primary school uniforms at junior secondary school. This move, aimed at easing the financial load on parents, has sparked division within the education community.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) rejected the directive, considering it a source of confusion for schools. Secretary General Akello Misori criticized the government for creating unnecessary chaos in the education system. Misori argued that the directive, combined with the placement of junior secondary in primary schools, would create challenges.
On the other hand, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) welcomed the directive as a step towards implementing a comprehensive school system. Collins Oyuu, KNUT’s secretary-general, emphasized the need to ease the financial burden on parents in the already expensive education sector.
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National Parents Association Chairman Silas Obuhatsa supported the move, stating that it would reduce the strain on parents. However, it is crucial to note that school principals are still imposing high uniform costs on parents, despite Machogu’s attempt to provide relief for financially strained families and learners.
For instance, Lenana School, a prestigious national institution, mandated parents to pay Sh11,000 for uniforms before the Monday reporting date. This contradicts the spirit of Machogu’s directive, adding an additional financial burden on parents seeking admission for their children.
In a similar case, a parent seeking admission for his son at Vihiga High School had to pay Sh10,500 for uniforms before receiving an admission letter. These instances highlight the persistent challenges faced by parents and learners, even as efforts are made to streamline uniform regulations.
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School Uniforms: JSS and Form One Transitions Pose Challenges for Parents and Schools
