MPs push policy to standardise school uniform purchase for parents

The National Assembly committee on Implementation is dissatisfied with measures the Ministry of Education has taken to promote standardisation and liberalisation in school uniform production.

The committee, which was chaired by Memusi Kanchory, said a policy is required to liberalise school uniforms as opposed to the Ministry only working with circulars, which is a form of communication that parents may not access.

This was after Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu (pictured) told the committee yesterday that his ministry issued a circular to all school principals, directing them to desist from pushing parents to specific suppliers to purchase uniforms.

“A circular is not a policy… A circular is a communication of some information from the minister…you can set out a policy on standardization and production of school uniforms in the country,” said Kanchory, during a meeting on the status of House resolution on standardisation and production of school uniforms.

On standardisation of school uniforms, the CS said it may not be achievable owing to different dynamics put into consideration, for instance, weather, tradition and the cost that would be incurred among others.

“School uniform has become some kind of tradition. Again, the climatic and weather conditions of this country vary from one place to another. If for example, you go to a place like Timboroa where the temperatures can be so low and people require sweaters but the same may not be required in other areas like say Turkana,” the CS told the committee.

He said the ministry has made it clear that schools should not give specific suppliers for parents to get the uniform because so many people can make them as per respective institutions’ requirements.

“We have taken up the issue of school uniforms and issued a circular. We have put in clear terms as a ministry that parents must have a leeway and we must liberalise this… It will be up to the parent to source it from wherever as long as it meets the requirements of the schools,” the CS explained.

Githunguri MP, Gathoni Wa Muchomba who moved the motion on standardisation and production of school uniforms expressed her dismay with the ministry’s response saying it should develop a policy.