Ministry of Education to Review School Uniform Prices in All Public Schools

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced that  the Ministry of Education is implementing a presidential directive to review the pricing of school uniforms in all public schools.

Appearing before the National Assembly on April 22, Ogamba stated the Ministry has a policy framework to prevent school uniforms from being overly expensive, as set out in a circular dated May 30, 2023.

Ogamba said school uniforms have long burdened parents and are becoming a barrier to access to education.

Ministry of Education to Review School Uniform Prices and Standardize Designs

He noted that concerns about the high cost of school uniforms were raised in the report of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, which found instances in which some school administrators allegedly colluded with suppliers to compel parents to buy uniforms from designated vendors.

Ogamba said the working party recommended that the Ministry of Education develop clear guidelines to regulate school uniforms in basic education institutions.

“The ministry is now implementing a presidential directive to review the pricing of school uniforms in public schools, in consultation with stakeholders. The ongoing review aims to reduce the financial burden on parents, eliminate unnecessary variations in design and colour, and promote fairness, quality, and competition in supply,” he said.

“It also seeks to support the constitutional right to free and compulsory basic education.”

CS Ogamba stated that the review is expected to consider key factors, including the need for standardization and the role of uniforms in preserving school identity and tradition.

He added that the process is set to be completed by July, after which the ministry will issue policy guidelines on school uniforms across the country.

Also Read: CS Ogamba Orders Probe into Masinde Muliro Degree Certificates

The 2023 circular had directed regional and county directors of education to ensure the stoppage of practices in which schools stock uniforms and compel parents to buy them, or in which principals and heads of institutions direct parents to purchase uniforms from specific dealers.

They were also instructed to identify and process the names of non-compliant schools for necessary legal action.

The ministry further directed that no school should require parents to buy uniforms from a particular outlet, and that schools should not stock uniforms or boarding-related items.

The CS also revealed that the heads of institutions were ordered not to deny learners admission on the basis of a lack of school uniforms, a position reinforced by a presidential directive issued in January this year.

He further explained that, under current regulations, decisions on school uniforms are made by boards of management in consultation with parents’ associations, in line with Regulation 67 of the Basic Education Regulations.

CS Ogamba Cites Dual Teacher Management as Hurdle to Education Directives

Ogamba said that despite directives, including a 2023 circular, implementation has remained a challenge for several reasons.

He noted that one key issue is that within the education sector, there have been two centers of authority in the management of teachers. On the one hand, teachers are managed by the independent Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Also Read: Why Education Ministry Want Procurement and Distribution of Textbook Stripped from KICD

This means that even when the ministry identifies cases in which a teacher or principal has violated a circular, the disciplinary process lies with another institution.

Ogamba said that as a result, and following recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, the ministry is undertaking reforms, including proposed amendments to the Teachers Service Act and the Basic Education Act.

The proposed changes seek to reintroduce the inspector of schools, with the power to take disciplinary action against teachers and principals who fail to comply with ministry directives.