Grade 7 learners should not be sent away because of uniforms - CS Machogu

As the first cohort of Junior Secondary learners flocked schools, some donned old school uniforms from primary schools, while others were in new uniforms. 

An earlier spot check by Citizen digital showed that many parents were uncertain about the school uniforms students are supposed to wear, and where to buy them. 

Now, education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has clarified that parents will be at liberty to buy school uniforms from their preferred vendors as soon as respective schools notify them of colour and type. 

“The uniforms should be the ones from primary school as BOM comes up with new uniforms. The school should give parents time to get the uniforms.  We don't expect kids to be sent away because of uniform, there'll be no requirements of specific shops, allow parents to buy from where they want,” Machogu said on during a tour of Nairobi Primary school on Monday. 

The CS further reiterated that JSS education is free in all public schools as the government is providing capitation for each student. 

“JSS as per Kenyan context is free and compulsory, we expect 100% transition. There's no money to be paid for registration, no unnecessary levies as registration fees.”

Another dilemma that JSS parents have been facing is the textbooks that students will use in grade 7. 

Last week, the Education Ministry launched a distribution drive for grade 7 textbooks and teacher guides. 

These items, Machogu says, will be freely availed to all public learning institutions by February 17. However, private schools will have to procure books for their learners. 

“No other books out of KICD list should be used in each and every subject. We've set the time our students in JSS should be in school, the normal school calendar is from 8 am to 3.45 pm. The syllabus should be adequately covered without subjecting kids to mental torture,” he said. 

On the shortage of infrastructure in schools, the ministry says it has requested Members of Parliament to construct laboratories using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).