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It is hard enough for parents and teachers to choose a student away from dozens of others when they are in uniform. But it could become even more difficult if a proposal that all students wear the same uniform from January of the following year be implemented.
According to Senior Education Secretary Belio Kipsang, some uniforms have become so fanciful that they look like civilian clothes, making it difficult to identify high school and primary school students when they sneak in for bizarre indulgence, or even fomenting trouble in the schools.
Objections to the proposal were quick, including students. more than clothes and reflect the culture and aspirations of a particular school.
"The uniform color of the school makes sense for the school and the community in general.We should have more commitment on this proposal," said Kahi Indimuli, president of the school. # 39; Association of Directors of Kenya High School (Kessha).
Secretary of the Cabinet of Education, Amina Mohamed, calmed the situation on Wednesday. "Schools have sponsors, which means we have to consult them before making a decision," said Ms. Mohamed.
million. Nicholas Maiyo, president of the National Association of Parents who proposed the proposal, said reduce the cost of uniforms for parents.
"We have students who buy uniforms at different prices, which is very expensive for the parents of the country. School officials sell the uniforms to students at exorbitant prices, and that's why we want to end this practice, "said Maiyo.
Last year, the Government ordered schools to stop referring parents to suppliers of particular uniforms to prevent collusion between schools and suppliers, but the directive, such as the one on tuition, n & # 39;
IMPLICATIONS
It is unclear how the association found the proposal, since its organizational secretary, Mr. Osborne Mabalu, deferred with Mr. Maiyo.
"I attended the workshop in Machakos last week where Maiyo had this suggestion. We did not agree on the way forward and we were surprised when the PS promised Rivatex to make fabrics for the uniforms, "Dr Mabalu told reporters in Kisumu
"We want the same uniform and fabric to be used in all of our schools, and we want Rivatex to get ready for them to play a role in their manufacturing," he added in Kakamega. Boniface Manda, of Bunge La Haki's civil society group, threatened to take legal action against the movement.
Mr. Maiyo stated that elementary students would have a common uniform, just like high school students, the color of the will be determined after further consultation, said Mr. Maiyo.
But schools keep their badges.
School uniforms are varied, with a dress, skirt and blouse or a tunic and a blouse for girls at the primary school, and a skirt and blouse for those attending the & # 39; high school. Then there are ties and sweaters or blazers, as well as game kits, among others.
million. Maiyo said that having the same uniform would also help improve the self-esteem of learners of small schools, who are intimidated when they meet their costumed counterparts of elite schools. .
"We want our children to feel equal to the schools they attend. We do not want our children to feel intimidated by other students, "said Maiyo, adding that a standard uniform would allow the government to subsidize the cost.
He asked the teachers, school sponsors and other stakeholders submit their views to the Department of Education.
Although concerns about costs are difficult to challenge, there is concern that a system of supply centralized opaque only replaces individual shopkeepers school leaders to inflate prices.
John Mark Wandera, director of Booker Academy in Mumias, argues that the proposal is likely to create a monopoly and deny to small traders a means of subsistence.
"The proposal to adopt a single uniform will open a window for cartels and ruin the textile market," he said.
A few countries Africa, like Ghana and neighboring Tanzania, already have policies, with learners in all countries. public schools wearing identical uniforms.
Parents spend thousands of shillings on school uniforms. In some schools, the cost of a full uniform can reach 60,000 shillings, especially for students who join high school.
Many schools require parents to purchase items at particular stores, which are priced higher. exclusive agreement with suppliers. Some of the parents interviewed said that they had paid between Sh2,000 and Sh7,000 per item in the stores to which the schools had referred them.
Last year, the Director General of the Kenya Competition Authority (CAK), Kariuki Wang & # 39; ombe, asked parents to report any instances of collusion between schools and schools. suppliers for his intervention.
In Nairobi, more than 10 parents the Nation spoke to said that a common uniform would encourage students to make mistakes because it would be difficult to tell which school they came from.
"How to distinguish students?" Asked Mary Kago, a salesman on River Road.
They said school uniforms gave learners a sense of belonging.
Meanwhile, salespeople Uniform doubted that the proposal would reduce costs for parents.
"As long as school badges are only available in specific stores, the operation will stop. not, "said Damaris Ng's" Ang of Global Uniforms on Duruma Road in Nairobi. "
Some distributors objected to fear of incurring losses through the dead, while D & # 39; Others said it would lead to job losses.
Report by Ouma Wanzala, Lilys Njeru, Rushdie Oudia and Shaban Makokha
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