Schools Defy Govt’s Directive on Uniforms
Traders in the school supplies industry are expressing their disappointment and frustration over the failure of school heads to comply with the directive issued by Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.
Kuria’s directive aimed to increase revenue generated from the industry by encouraging competition and preventing a few traders from dominating the market.
With over 14 million pupils in the country, the uniform industry has the potential to generate substantial revenue, yet some schools are ordering parents to buy supplies from specific outlets, some of which are run by teachers and staff members.
As a result, business has slowed down for independent traders and they are calling on the government to enforce Kuria’s directive promptly.
The traders feel that schools should stick to their primary role of providing education and leave trading to them.
According to the traders, schools are selling supplies at a rate higher than the current market rate, which places an undue financial burden on parents.
For example, one trader reported that they sell a pair of socks for Ksh80 but in schools, the same pair of socks is sold for Ksh300.
The traders are urging schools to adhere to their role of equipping students with knowledge, rather than engaging in sales, which has a negative impact on their businesses.
They are also calling on the government to intervene in the situation before the next cohort of students enrols. If their calls go unanswered, the traders have warned that they will protest.
In conclusion, the traders believe that Kuria’s directive is aimed at creating a more equitable and competitive market, but it has yet to be fully implemented.
They hope that the government will take swift action to resolve the crisis and ensure that schools do not engage in the sale of school supplies, as this negatively affects both parents and independent traders.
Schools Defy Govt’s Directive on Uniforms
