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{
    "id": 1229933,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1229933/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 166,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "North Imenti, Independent",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Rahim Dawood",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support the standardisation and production of school uniforms. Uniforms are a very emotive issue in the sense that many schools have different uniforms. We need to have one standard uniform in one colour. You will see students in checked uniforms, like the school in the Public Gallery, and others in different colours like purple, brown and white. We need to have one standard uniform for every school in the country, whether private or public. The uniform should not be expensive. It would be best, if it is possible, for the Government to provide uniforms to students. We have industries in this country like the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and Rift Valley Textiles (RIVATEX) East Africa Limited that can produce uniforms. We can revive Mount Kenya Textiles (Mountex) Mills in Nanyuki and other factories to produce uniforms on a large scale. If the Government will not provide them, then schools can be advised to buy them. It would be cheaper that way. I do not understand why a pupil joining Grade Seven is required to change to a different uniform in the same school. Many pupils have not reported to Grade Seven because they cannot afford school uniforms. Many times, students including those in the lower grades are sent home for lack of uniform. I do not understand the correlation between uniforms and studies. What matters is what one is taught and not what one wears. Students who do not have uniforms should never be chased away from school because no one will benefit from that. We need a good policy on a common uniform and to see where to source it from. Parents should not pay exorbitantly for uniforms. Parents are required to pay Kshs20,000 for uniforms in junior secondary schools. Paying for school meals is a challenge for many parents. Students are forced to go home for only Ksh300 or Ksh500 hence missing classes. How are the parents going to pay Ksh20,000 for uniforms if meals are a challenge? Hon. Gathoni should propose how the Government can reduce the prices of school uniforms. That way, parents will pay a standardised amount which will probably be included in school fees. There are schools which have different forms of uniforms like jackets which cost a lot of money. We need to do away with those kinds of jackets and other clothing which are not necessary. At the end of the day, it is studies that matter and not uniform. I support. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}