Learners in Competency Based Education (CBE) institutions could soon wear standardised uniforms under a Ministry of Education proposal seeking to introduce a common dress code across all levels of basic education.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The proposal follows resolutions adopted during the National Conference on Education held from May 7 to 9, where stakeholders recommended that schools transition to a common uniform design aimed at promoting equity and affordability.

Schools would, however, retain their individual identity through customised badges attached to the standardised uniforms.

“The Conference resolved that the country should adopt standardised school uniforms across all levels of education, including Comprehensive and Senior Schools, in order to promote uniformity, equity, and affordability. Schools shall, however, be permitted to maintain distinct identity through specific uniform badges,” the resolution stated.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the conference resolutions, the policy would apply across all basic education levels, including Comprehensive Schools and Senior Schools under the CBE system.

Additionally, the conference also resolved that the cost of school uniforms should be regulated and capped to reduce the financial burden currently facing parents and guardians.

The ministry said the proposed reform is a response to longstanding concerns regarding the prohibitive costs and distribution of mandated school uniforms.

However, stakeholders in the education sector argue that the reforms may not address the root causes behind the high cost of school attire, claiming that inflated pricing and exclusive distribution arrangements involving some schools and suppliers are the main drivers behind expensive uniforms.

Education specialist Boaz Waruku said the government risks approaching the issue from the wrong angle by focusing on redesigning uniforms instead of addressing the pricing and distribution systems affecting parents.

“I would be hesitant to laud the government in trying to address a problem from a wrong angle. The angle is on the cost, which is based on materials, how they are charged, and the centralisation of distribution, where certain institutions collude with certain distributors and inflate those costs,” Waruku said.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke