The Ministry of Education has been tasked to come up with policy framework on dress code for all levels of education.
This is contained in the much-awaited report on the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms [PWPER] which was handed over to President William Ruto on Tuesday.
It was noted that school uniforms are expensive for parents because school administration collude with suppliers, forcing parents to purchase from a specific supplier identified by the school administration.
Early this year, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria announced that the government has banned schools from selling uniforms.
Kuria called out schools colluding with tailors and uniform outlets to reap profits at the expense of parents.
While terming the move as mentioned earlier unacceptable and unsustainable, the CS noted that teachers should put their focus on academics and CBC (Competency Based Curriculum) transition.
"The ministry of education has been very categorical that our schools have no business selling uniforms, our teachers need to focus on academia and helping our children to transition to CBC and other objectives that the ministry has set," he said then.
Kuria's sentiments came amidst complaints from parents who alleged that schools have turned the uniform business into a minting venture for their own selfish interests.
They lamented that they were forced to purchase uniforms from selected stores which ended up being pricier than other uniform shops.
As a result, in March Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba fronted a motion that sought to make uniforms affordable to all students.
"This House, therefore, resolves that the Ministry of Education develops a policy on standardization and production of school uniforms in the country," Wamuchomba said.
The lawmaker said the uniforms should be accessible to students in both public and private schools.
She added that the cost of uniforms has continued to escalate becoming expensive to the common mwananchi.
