Education Ministry Says No to Standardized School Uniforms.
The cabinet secretary for education, Ezekiel Machogu, has indicated that students in various institutions cannot wear similar uniforms.
While appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Implementation, the CS argued that uniform choices depend on various factors, including weather. He indicates that heavy uniforms, including sweaters, are necessary in areas with extremely cold weather, while in regions experiencing high heat levels, heavy sweaters and garments are not essential.
In addition, the CS emphasized that uniform choices may also depend on the culture and traditions of the region where the school is based.
“School uniform has become a form of tradition. Additionally, the climate and weather conditions in this country vary significantly from one place to another,” said Machogu.
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Additionally, the CS acknowledged the efforts of the committee in their involvement in advising the ministry in developing policies to prevent cartels from working hand in hand with school principals to force parents to buy uniforms from a particular dealer.
Machogu reiterated that he had sent a circular to learning institutions urging parents not to fall victim to these manipulative tactics.
However, lawmakers maintain that a circular cannot serve the same purpose as a policy and further urged the ministry to develop a comprehensive policy on standardizing school uniforms in Kenya.
This argument is similar to the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) recommendation.
Opinion
Having standardized school uniforms in the country presents more challenges than opportunities for the education sector. A uniform serves the purpose of identifying a student to a particular institution. Having a standardized uniform presents a challenge to the identification purpose. It distracts the ministry from enforcing its core mandate to enforcing rules and uniform standards in the country.
Education Ministry Says No to Standardized School Uniforms.