Staff Reporter
FOLLOWING complaints from parents about schools allegedly demanding that they buy learning materials, the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has clarified that government has already provided funds to cover core stationery for all learners and that parents must not be forced to purchase these basic items.
The Ministry said it had received concerns from parents and guardians over stationery lists issued by some schools requesting the purchase of learning materials that should already be supplied through government funding. In response, it pointed to Circular Form ED:5 of 2023 – Stationery Guidelines to Schools, which was issued to ensure that teaching and learning are not disrupted at the start of the school year due to a lack of basic materials.
“The Ministry remains committed to safeguarding learners’ right to education and ensuring that no learner is disadvantaged due to administrative non-compliance,” Executive Director Mbumba Erastus Haitengela said.
According to the circular, regions are required to procure and supply minimum core stationery items for all learners. These include exercise books for each subject, as well as basic items such as pens, pencils, rulers and erasers. For pre-primary, junior primary and resource schools, detailed stationery lists are prescribed and must be sourced and delivered to schools before the school year begins.
The Ministry said categorically that parents should not be required to buy core stationery items such as exercise books and basic writing materials, as these are already covered by government funds. Any such requests, it said, are contrary to the purpose and provisions of the circular.
However, the Ministry added that schools may, in consultation with parents, discuss additional teaching and learning materials that go beyond the basic minimum provided by government. These discussions must be reasonable and transparent and must not undermine the principle of free access to basic education.
Such supplementary items may include extra colouring or activity books for home use, additional art materials beyond the basic supply, school bags and lunch boxes, personal stationery for home study, and protective book covers or folders beyond the prescribed flip files.
The Ministry said it is engaging regional offices to ensure full compliance with the stationery procurement guidelines and urged school management to adhere strictly to the approved provisions. Parents and guardians who experience undue pressure to purchase core stationery items are encouraged to report such cases to their respective regional education offices.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Contributed
