Doing away with school uniform is also an option

Parents shopping for uniforms at an outlet in Mombasa County in July 2022. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

The beginning of the academic year in Kenya brings with it a heavy financial burden on parents of learners in basic education institutions, especially those whose children are joining form one.

The parents are required by the schools to purchase school uniform and other necessities besides paying school fees. The issue of school uniform has of late generated more heat than any other school requirement. Schools issue instructions on how and where parents are expected to acquire the uniform.