Kuppet secretary general Akelo Misori [3rd L] and Baringo North MP Jospeh Makilap [R] at Sheikh Zayed Hall in Mombasa on Thursday / JOHN CHESOLI
A high school student has petitioned Parliament to formulate a law that allows students to wear hairstyles of their choice in school.
Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap made the revelation during a meeting of headteachers in Mombasa.
He said the student showed more courage and bravery than the senior school heads who failed to petition the August House.
“There is one petition before our committee from a student requesting Parliament to provide legislation for free hairstyles in schools including dreadlocks, and everything else,” Makilap said on Thursday.
He spoke during the 49th Kenya Senior School Heads Association annual national conference in Mombasa.
“It is before us. But there is nothing from you,” he told the principals.
Makilap, who is a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee, said though peculiar, he is happy with the petition because the student acted, unlike the principals, who he said have lacked courage.
“The question is, so what? After the 49th Kessha conference, what decision will you bring on board, to the committee of education for legislation to change policy direction and change funding in our schools?” the MP posed.
He said he will be keen in the committee to see what the senior school heads will petition Parliament about.
“I will have a listening ear and I will represent you in that committee together with the entire membership of the committee of education.
“Take advantage - Kuppet, Knut, Kusnet and principals - and petition Parliament on issues that are critical for funding, policy direction. Petition Parliament. There is nothing that is coming from you,” he told the principals.
He said the committee is the fabric of funding and they oversight the Teachers Service Commission, the Commission for Higher Education, research and basic education.
“This is the alma mater which can solve your problems,” the Baringo North lawmaker said.
He said the proposal by the principals for the increment of school fees is good and needs dialogue.
Kessha chairman Willie Mwangi earlier pushed for a review of the school fee structure saying the current one was put in place 11 years ago, in 2015.
Since then commodity prices and inflation have gone up but the fees remain relatively the same, making running of schools extremely difficult.
