Any businessman will tell you that higher production volumes lower costs. That principle should not only apply to industries and factories but also to schools across the Republic. If we are sincere about making education affordable and accessible to all children, then we must look at every item that contributes to the rising cost of schooling, and the first visible one is the school uniform.
It is time for the Ministry of Education to standardise school uniforms as part of the continuous education reforms. Uniforms can be divided into clear categories based on the levels of education: Pre-Primary, Primary, Junior School, and Senior School. Each category should have a distinct yet standard design that fits within a national framework. The only difference from one school to another should be the unique school badge, which represents the identity of the institution.
This model would allow mass production, which in turn lowers costs. It would also make it easier for parents to buy uniforms from different outlets without being confined to specific suppliers who often overcharge. Currently, the cost of a complete uniform set can go up to about thirty thousand shillings, an amount that has become a source of unnecessary financial strain on parents. In some cases, it has created an opportunity for misuse by school heads and directors who collude with suppliers to inflate prices.
Education should be treated as a public service before being viewed as a business. When the cost of basic requirements like uniforms becomes a burden, it discourages many families and affects enrollment and retention rates, especially in rural areas. Standardising uniforms would promote equality among students by removing visible economic differences. Every learner, whether from a humble background or a privileged home, would appear equal in the learning environment, promoting discipline, unity, and focus on learning rather than appearance.
Furthermore, such reforms would encourage transparency in school management and eliminate uniform-related cartels that have profited from parents for years. It would also create a predictable education economy where costs are known, stable, and manageable. Kenya can take inspiration from countries where standardised uniforms have reduced costs and improved the overall integrity of the education system.
The time for this change is now. If we are serious about building an inclusive, affordable, and fair education system, then standardising school uniforms should be a key pillar in the next phase of education reforms.
