Kenyan Government Clarifies Uniform Policy for Junior Secondary School Students

NAIROBI – In a recent clarification by the Kenyan Government, no learner joining Junior Secondary School (JSS) should be denied entry due to the lack of new school attire. This announcement comes in response to various reports by the Ministry of Education regarding certain JSS charging extra fees and insisting on new uniforms for incoming Grade 7 students.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Central Region Director of Education, pupils unable to acquire new uniforms can continue wearing their old primary school attire until their guardians can afford the new set. This directive aligns with the government’s policy of distinct uniforms for JSS students, aiming to distinguish Grade 7 pupils from their younger counterparts. Aroni emphasized the importance of accommodating families’ financial situations, ensuring that no learner is inconvenienced by the transition.

The clarification follows a press statement released on January 12 by Education Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Ezekiel Machogu. He addressed several issues, including the directive allowing Grade 7 learners to attend school in their former uniforms while parents work towards purchasing the new JSS-specific attire. Additionally, Dr. Machogu instructed schools to refrain from requesting funds from parents for constructing Grade 8 classrooms, affirming the government’s commitment to allocate Sh 12.8 billion over the next year to build more than 15,000 classrooms for this purpose.

Aroni also addressed the disbursement of government funds for school capitation, confirming that the necessary amounts have been transferred to individual school accounts. Contrary to claims of non-receipt of funds by school heads, she stated that there have been no complaints from any school principal in the region regarding this issue.

Earlier this month, the government announced the release of Sh.31.34 billion for capitation ahead of school reopening on January 8. Out of this, Sh.4.74 billion was allocated to the State Department for Basic Education for free primary education for Term 1, with an additional Sh.7.6 billion set aside as capitation for JSS.