Basic public school uniform change an initiative, not a policy - Kwasi Kwarteng

A spokesperson for the Minister and Ministry of Education, Kwesi Kwarteng, says rebranding and introducing new uniforms to public basic schools is not a policy but an initiative.

According to him, the initiative is not on their to-do list but the Education Ministry felt this would help basic public schools and the futuristic that’s why they brought it up.

In an interview with Joy FM.s Super Morning Show on April 26, he stated, “So I would not call it a policy but I will say there is an initiative or we are looking at as part of the total rebranding of the public basic schools will also introduce uniform but that is not something that has happened now but is a futuristic proposal if you ask me.”

The Education Minister disclosed during a forum titled 'The Free SHS story' in Accra on Tuesday, April 23, that the brown and yellow uniforms would be replaced.

“We are changing the uniforms of public basic schools in the country.

The yellow and brown that you see now, you will see no more.

Reformation is coming to a community near you, and you will see it.”

"This is President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's Ghana, we have begun the transformation, there is no reason that we shouldn't, Ghanaians deserve better and we are going to give them better...something that we are all going to be proud of," the Minister added.

Dr Yaw Adutwum explained that this initiative is a component of the government's broader efforts to demonstrate that its priorities extend beyond secondary education alone.

But Mr Kwarteng said, “We have not introduced school uniforms as I speak to you, but I’m saying that like there is a plan to restore public confidence and make sure that we place a higher value on the basic public school level and of course as part of our aggressive intervention to revolutionise our basic schools in the areas of access quality and make sure that it has an impact on our social economic transformation largely we are considering that, it is not a matter of policy where you need approval.

Mr Kwarteng noted that the Ministry typically seeks approval for major policy decisions from cabinet.