STOP Tearing School Uniforms After KCSE — Choose Kindness, Not Waste

Every year after the KCSE examinations, a familiar scene repeats itself across many schools in Kenya: students celebrate their final day of high school by tearing their school uniform into pieces. Some shred their shirts, others write graffiti all over them, and some even burn them. While the excitement of completing four challenging years of secondary school is understandable, the growing trend of destroying school uniforms has raised serious concern.

This culture is not only wasteful but also insensitive, especially in a society where thousands of students struggle to afford basic schoolwear.

Why Tearing Uniforms Is a Problem

1. It Is Wasteful

A school uniform is a valuable item. Many families save for weeks or months just to buy one. Destroying it in minutes wastes something that still has value and purpose.

Across the country, countless students attend school wearing:torn sweatersfaded shirtspatched trousers and skirtsoversized or extremely small uniformsFor these students, getting a decent uniform is a dream. Your uniform, even if slightly used, could restore their dignity and confidence at school.

3. It Sends the Wrong Message

2. It Hurts Students Who Less Privileged

Across the country, countless students attend school wearing:torn sweatersfaded shirtspatched trousers and skirtsoversized or extremely small uniformsFor these students, getting a decent uniform is a dream. Your uniform, even if slightly used, could restore their dignity and confidence at school.

For these students, getting a decent uniform is a dream. Your uniform, even if slightly used, could restore their dignity and confidence at school.

3. It Sends the Wrong Message

Celebrating success should never involve waste or destruction. It encourages the wrong mindset in younger students who look up to candidates as role models.

The Better Alternative: Donate Your Uniform

Instead of shredding, burning, or vandalizing your schoolwear, consider giving it to those who genuinely need it.Where Your Uniform Can Go:Students from disadvantaged families within your communityYour former school, which often keeps spare uniforms for needy learnersChurch groups and youth programs supporting educationCharity organisations that distribute clothing to vulnerable childrenYour old uniform could become someone’s new chance at confidence, belonging, and academic focus.

Celebrating KCSE Responsibly

Finishing high school is a major milestone — one that deserves celebration. But you can celebrate in meaningful, memorable, and responsible ways such as:Taking group photos with friendsSigning autographs on books or cards instead of uniformsHaving a class partyCreating a memory scrapbookDonating unused school supplies to juniors

A Call to All Candidates: Choose Kindness

Let this be the year we finally end the culture of tearing uniforms.Instead, let this be the year we choose:kindness,responsibility,compassion, andcommunity care.Your old uniform can change a life. Your small act of giving can restore hope. Your decision to donate instead of destroy can set a powerful example for every student who comes after you.

• Final Word
• Stop tearing school uniforms. It’s unnecessary, wasteful, and insensitive.Donate them. Share them. Bless someone else with what you no longer need.FACTS!

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Eunice Awino Awino

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