Students Within Counties to Wear Same Uniforms
A Member of Parliament, Gathoni Wamuchomba, has proposed a motion that seeks to standardize school uniforms across the country.
Under the proposed motion, all learners within a county will have the same uniform color and quality, while parents will decide where to buy them.
The price of school uniforms will also be standardized to ease the financial burden on parents. If passed, the motion will lead to the production of a draft Bill that will go through public participation and debate by MPs before it becomes law.
“Standardising uniform will put things right and we shall contain the fraud by principals,” John Gitonga, Manyatta MP said
Wamuchomba argued that the Ministry of Education has left the school uniform sector to commercial enterprises, which has created cartels that charge exorbitant prices, putting pressure on parents.
By standardizing school uniforms, the sector will be opened up to local dressmakers, who will be able to compete for tenders within their respective counties.
The motion proposes that each county should have its own uniform color, with primary and secondary school students wearing different uniforms. This would give tailors within each county an opportunity to participate in the tenders.
MP Push For Standardized School Uniform Pricing and County Color Codes
The standardization of school uniforms has been a contentious issue for a long time, with parents calling for the adoption of a uniform that is affordable and of the same quality. However, previous proposals have been rejected.
The proposed motion seeks to address this issue by reducing the cost of school uniforms and eliminating unnecessary components such as blazers.
“Look at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students. A student in Mombasa or Machakos wears the same blue uniform. If they are located in any ward doing their duties, someone knows they are students.’ Said Wamuchomba.
During the debate, MPs expressed support for the motion, citing the high cost of school uniforms and the need for social equity.
They also called for the elimination of cartels in the school uniform sector, which has made it difficult for parents to obtain affordable uniforms.
If the proposed motion is passed, it will be a major relief for parents who have been burdened with the high cost of school uniforms. It will also create opportunities for local dressmakers and eliminate cartels in the sector.
Students Within Counties to Wear Same Uniforms
