Junior Secondary School (JSS) allowed to wear old uniforms -Cabinet proposes

According to the Cabinet, students transferring to Junior Secondary School (JSS) are now permitted to keep their previous school's uniforms.

President William Ruto presided over a discussion that took place on February 28 at State House in Nairobi, where they came to this conclusion.

No student should be forced to return home because they do not have a fresh set of school dress codes, as stated by the Cabinet Secretaries.

"The Cabinet took into consideration the achievements that have been achieved in the execution of the transition to junior secondary school, which is a component of the competency-based curriculum" (CBC).

A portion of the declaration reads as follows: "The Cabinet clearly aimed to facilitate a fair chance for all of our nation's children. Despite the fact that the transition to junior secondary school may necessitate a change of uniform, no student should then be thrown out of school for not wearing a school uniform so long as they remain kitted out in their primary school uniforms," which is a direct quote from the statement.

"The Cabinet pointed directly to cultivating equal opportunity for each and every one of our nation's children, regardless of whether the transition to junior secondary school may actually justify a uniform change,"

This occurs despite the fact that a number of members of the National Assembly have called for the elimination of the competency-based curriculum (CBC), citing high expenses and insufficient resources.

The cost of the new system has been cited as the primary reason for legislators on both sides of the ideological divide urging that the administration do away with the new system.

Nevertheless, the chairman of the Education Committee, Julius Melly (Tinderet), justified the curriculum by stating that the difficulties that are now being encountered are not new and that the same difficulties were seen during the changeover to the 8-4-4 system.

"I recall when 8-4-4 was first implemented in 1984/1985 in Kenya, people were outraged, and they wanted our country to return back to the previous system.

"The problem with the teachers and staff is one that I am aware is contentious, and it is an issue we've got to address," he added.

The politicians argued that the approach had caused uncertainty in the school system when they were participating in an adjournment motion that was brought up by Peter Kaluma, the Member of Parliament for Homa Bay Town.

The shift from elementary to secondary school was not properly thought out, according to Kaluma, who pointed out the Junior Secondary School (JSS) as an example.

MPs asserted that they had been forced to take on the responsibility of footing the bills directly caused by the curriculum because they are obligated to buy books, uniforms, and pay for school for some of the learners.

This led to the MPs claiming that they were being forced to shoulder the cost of helping to pay the costs.

"I am here to make a request to this House that we put an end to this CBC so that we can get on with the education that is important for our children.

"What is occurring today is that this system is for the affluent because those who have money are able to send their children to private schools," said Kaluma.

According to Kaluma, each junior secondary school (JSS) in Homa Bay has been assigned one teacher who is responsible for teaching more than 14 different topics.