Money-Making Schemes in Schools 2023
Money-Making Schemes in Schools 2023. According to a report in the Nation, many schools in Kenya are requiring parents to purchase uniforms from particular vendors at ever-exorbitant costs.
The issue is so severe that many families require assistance to cover the costs, which creates a situation where the price of uniforms occasionally exceeds the price of tuition.
The government has issued many warnings, but schools have persisted in requiring parents to purchase uniforms from particular vendors. For a full set of uniforms, some schools have charged as much as KES 29,895.
This resulted in the transfer of billions of shillings from parents’ pockets to a select few corporations’ bank accounts.
The Nation conducted a survey of 12 schools from various regions, asking parents of Form One students for information on the price of uniforms.
These parents spent a total of KES 114 million on uniforms. The least expensive uniform at Kisii High School and Matuga Girls High School cost KES 14,000 each.
The most expensive of the 12 schools evaluated, Mary Hill Girls High School in Kiambu County charged parents KES 29,895 for a full set of uniforms.
Other schools that required parents to purchase uniforms from particular vendors included Kenya High School in Nairobi County and Nyangwa High School in Embu County (Weaver Bird Garments) (School Outfitters).
By taking advantage of a legal gap, public schools have been able to avoid possible sanctions from the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK).
When dealing with governmental entities, which includes public schools, the authority is only permitted to act in an advisory capacity under Section 9 of the CAK Act, which took effect in 2012.
Therefore, it is prohibited from fining or punishing public schools for breaking the law on competition by conspiring with vendors.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has responded by introducing a proposal in the National Assembly that aims to standardize the uniform manufacture and distribution procedure, ending the practice that is putting so much strain on parents.
By regulating consistent quality and costs and allowing tailors and other fabric dealers to join in production, Ms. Wamuchomba hopes to lower prices while dispersing revenue among a larger number of participants.
Desperate parents are eyeing on legislators on who yo sponsor the bill.