Report proposes common uniform for all schools

Millicent Awinja makes school uniforms at Uhuru market Nairobi on January 13, 2026.  [File, Standard]

Learners across the country could soon be required to wear a common school uniform.

This is one of the proposals made at the recent National Education Conference, which also recommended that junior schools be put fully under the management of primary school heads.

The resolutions adopted during the conference held in Naivasha earlier this month want schools to retain their identity through badges and insignia. The proposal suggests that this would ease the financial burden on parents and curb exploitation linked to exclusive uniform suppliers.

“The conference resolved that the country should adopt standardised school uniforms across all levels of education, including comprehensive and senior schools, in order to promote uniformity, equity, and affordability. Schools shall, however, be permitted to maintain distinct identity through specific uniform badges,” the report reads.

The report has further proposed capping of school uniform costs, a move that could significantly alter the back-to-school business.

However, it is not clear when the proposals will take effect.

On the management of primary and junior schools, the report suggests restructuring through the establishment of what it termed “comprehensive schools”.

Under the model, the two levels would operate as one institution under a single headteacher and board of management, and two deputies, effectively ending the push by some junior school teachers for administrative autonomy.

“The conference resolved that there shall be a comprehensive school that comprise primary and junior school under the Directorate of Comprehensive School Education,” the report reads.

The conference also recommended harmonisation of capitation and school fees within comprehensive schools to create a unified funding structure. 

The recommendation is expected to settle disputes over control of finances, staffing and administration following the transition of Grade 7, 8 and 9 learners to junior schools domiciled in primary schools.

Some junior school teachers have staged demonstrations pushing for independence from primary school administrations.

The report indicates that separation of primary and junior school had led to duplication of roles and strained resources.

The report also proposed an increase in capitation to reflect the current economic realities and ease pressure on schools grappling with growing enrolment and expanding infrastructure needs.

But that’s not all.  The conference further recommended replacing the term “teacher interns” with “teachers on contract”, alongside proposals that those employed on contract be absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms after two years.

The recommendation is likely to be welcomed by thousands of teachers currently serving under internship arrangements who have repeatedly complained over low pay, uncertainty and delayed confirmation.

The report further recommends deployment of junior school teachers strictly based on subject specialisation. This could resolve concerns raised by tutors and parents over cases where teachers are forced to handle subjects outside their areas of training due to inadequate staffing.

“Participants further resolved that teachers should be equitably distributed across the country in order to address disparities in staffing and ensure fairness in access to quality education,” says the report.

The report also proposes expansion of classrooms, laboratories and sanitation facilities to accommodate increasing populations particularly in junior schools where congestion and shortages of specialised learning spaces are common. The conference also recommended the strengthening of guidance and counselling programmes alongside expansion of mental health support systems.

It proposed deployment of at least two counsellors in every county and enhanced collaboration with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse to address cases of substance abuse.

Stakeholders also backed increased integration of digital learning as part of efforts to align education with changing technological demands.

The conference additionally proposed reforms aimed at improving governance, accountability and data management through full operationalisation of the Kenya Education Management Information System as a central education database.