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{
    "id": 1229843,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1229843/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 76,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Githunguri, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Education, develops a policy on standardization and production of school uniforms in the country. Hon. Deputy Speaker, aware that we have a problem, allow me to begin by stating that school uniform is an identifying standardised outfit or style of dress worn specifically in an educational institution. It is basically a school dress code. Generally, school uniforms enhance uniformity among learners irrespective of their financial status, race, colour or fashion preference. Uniforms also improve the learning environment, thereby instilling discipline and safety. Uniforms also give students a sense of belonging to a particular school and create an identity for the school in the community. Uniforms are believed to have benefits such as improving academic performance, instilling discipline, improving attendance and retention and, most importantly, covering the gap between the rich and the poor. Many schools around the world today have implemented uniform dress codes in the school system to prevent their students from wearing inappropriate clothing items to school. School uniforms are common in primary and secondary schools in various countries. It is worth noting that the Kenya government, in its quest to ensure universal access to education, has removed significant obstacles to school attendance by providing free primary and secondary school education through capitation. However, the cost of education still remains very high because households are supposed to provide non-discretionary items such as school uniforms. There is no explicit or significant support for the provision of uniforms to students in schools. Stakeholders in the education sector continue to lobby for more accessible education through the reduction of the cost of school uniforms and the elimination of other costs. While several countries in sub-Saharan Africa have eliminated school fees, other significant costs, including the cost of providing school uniforms for children, still remain in Kenya. The cost of school uniforms in Kenya remains a dominant obstacle to education opportunities for poor and vulnerable students in primary and secondary school. It is important to note that school uniforms in Kenya remain non-standardized and are sold in a highly fragmented market. This has led to an even higher cost of learning. It is important to note that Kenya adopted a policy on universal access to education. The policy seeks to ensure that all children are enrolled in primary school and complete their secondary school education with a 100 per cent transition rate. Despite this effort, the high cost of living and poverty still remain and prevent many students from joining secondary schools – a situation that is continuing to worsen because of the exorbitant cost of school uniforms in Kenya. Standardisation of school uniforms will ensure that all parents can afford uniforms and students from vulnerable families and low economic status will not feel out of place. They will not feel underdressed and insecure. This will reduce competition and students’ self-esteem and morale will be boosted, which will eventually increase their focus on studying and improve enrolment levels in both primary and secondary schools."
}