The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Julius Ogamba is facing mounting pressure from MPs over the absence of a clear and enforceable school uniform policy, with lawmakers accusing schools of overcharging parents.
During a parliamentary session, legislators questioned why some institutions are ignoring a presidential directive requiring them to admit students even without full uniforms. They argued that weak policy enforcement has allowed schools to exploit parents by selling uniforms at inflated prices.
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Kimani Ichung’wah criticised school administrations for using uniform requirements and lunch fees as punitive measures, noting that some learners are being sent home over unmet costs.
He urged the Ministry of Education to step in and curb these practices, stressing that no child should face embarrassment due to a parent’s financial struggles.
Lawmakers also raised concerns over students transitioning to Junior Secondary School being forced to buy new uniforms, despite remaining within the same institutions—an issue they say unnecessarily burdens parents.
Ichung’wah called for the ministry to issue clear policy guidelines before the next academic year to eliminate confusion and prevent exploitation.
He further demanded accountability, insisting that school heads who defy ministry directives—especially those sending learners home over uniforms or unpaid fees—should face disciplinary action, with their names presented in Parliament for follow-up with the Teachers Service Commission.
MPs maintained that despite existing guidelines, many schools continue to disregard the rules, leaving parents and students to bear the cost.
Citing constitutional provisions on the right to education, Ichung’wah warned that strict and commercialised school requirements could undermine access and equality, urging the ministry to treat the matter with urgency.
