Speaking during a visit to a school uniform outlet in Nairobi, Passaris criticised the high cost of uniforms noting that some parents are forced to spend as much as KSh 30,000 per child.
She argued that this is unrealistic especially for families living in informal settlements and low-income communities where affording basic needs is already a challenge.
According to the ODM legislator, requiring school uniforms creates unnecessary hardship for parents and should be reconsidered.
She suggested that many countries in Europe and parts of the United States allow students to attend school in home clothes without negatively affecting academic performance questioning why Kenya continues to maintain what she termed a colonial-era mentality.
Passaris stated that banning uniforms would ease pressure on parents while allowing children to attend school without the financial burden of expensive dress codes.
She maintained that uniforms are more aligned with British traditions and should not define Kenya’s education system.
At the same time, she acknowledged that if uniforms must remain, then the government should intervene to make them affordable.
She proposed that the National Youth Service (NYS) could be tasked with producing standardised school uniforms locally at significantly reduced costs potentially lowering prices to around KSh 4,000 per child.
Her remarks quickly triggered mixed reactions from Kenyans online. Many parents and education stakeholders defended school uniforms arguing that they promote equality among students by minimising social class distinctions and reducing competition over fashion.
Supporters of uniforms also pointed out that for some children from disadvantaged backgrounds school uniforms may be their only decent clothing.
The proposal has now opened a broader conversation about the affordability of education in Kenya, balancing financial realities for parents against the traditional role uniforms play in fostering discipline, identity and equality within schools.
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Kenya