By Suleman Chitera
In a tough and uncompromising stance, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development has ordered all schools across the country to immediately stop the illegal practice of sending learners home for not wearing school uniforms — a move officials say is blocking children’s right to education.
A strongly-worded letter signed by Secretary for Education, Ken Ndala, has warned that any head teacher, teacher, or school administrator who defies this directive will face disciplinary action. The ministry has even urged parents and community members to report violators directly for swift intervention.
According to the letter, addressed to District Commissioners and all education offices nationwide, the ministry acknowledges that school uniforms remain important, but says poverty should never be used as a weapon to keep children out of class.
“Uniforms are essential, but they must not become a barrier to learning for vulnerable learners,” the letter stresses.
The ministry has reminded head teachers that it is their duty to work with parents and community leaders to ensure learners have uniforms without infringing on the fundamental right to education.
The letter fires a clear warning shot: chasing learners away for not having a uniform directly undermines national efforts to keep every child in school regardless of background or economic status.
The directive comes amid rising reports of schools turning away learners — some as young as six — simply because their parents cannot afford new uniforms. Education activists have long criticized the trend, calling it discriminatory, harmful, and a violation of children’s rights.
With this new order, the Ministry has made one thing unmistakably clear: no child should ever sit at home because of poverty — and uniforms can no longer be used as an excuse.
