ii © KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
  
KENYA STANDARD  DKS 414 :2021  
ICS 59.080  
Second Edition  
 
 
Specification for school wear for boys and 
girls  
   
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA STANDARD  DKS 414 :2021  
ICS 59.080  
Second  Edition  
  
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  iii 
  TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
Moi university –Department of Industrial and Textile Engineering  
National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)  
Ministry of Industrialization and Trade  
Kenknit Eldoret Ltd  
Spinknit  Nakuru Ltd  
Techn ical University of Kenya(TUK)  
Ministry of Health  
RIVATEX  
Spinknit Ltd Nakuru  
Egerton University — Department of Applied Community Development Studies  
Kontoor Brands Inc Ltd  
Intertek  
Mbagathi Hospital  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed.  Suggestions for 
improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, are 
welcome.  
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2021 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of 2001 of  the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists 
in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 25 of this Act, no Kenya Standard prod uced by Kenya Bureau of Standards 
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing f rom the 
Managing Director.    
iv © KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Specification for school wear for boys and 
girls  
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
Kenya Bureau of Standards, Popo Road, Off Mombasa Road,  
P.O. Box 54974 - 00200,  Nairobi, Kenya  
 +254 020 6948000, + 254 722202137, + 254 734600471  
 info@kebs.org  
 @KEBS_ke  
 kenya bureau of standards (kebs)  
  
KENYA STANDARD  DKS 414 :2021  
ICS 59.080  
Second  Edition  
  
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  v 
  Foreword  
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Ready Made Garments under the 
direction of the Textile Industry Standards Committee and the National Standards Council.  
The standard has been prepared to assist the manufacturers in improving the quality of school wear for boys 
and girls of all ages. The manufacturers and all others concerned are urged to label the garments in 
accordance with the following standards:  
This second edition of the standard cancels and replaces KS 414-1:1982 which has been technically revised.  
 
  
    DKS 414 :2021    
 
© KEBS 2021– All rights reserved   
 1. Scope  
This Kenya Standard specifies the requirements for the making of garments for school wear. This  
includes shor ts, trousers, shirts and dresses.  For school socks,  school sweaters and fleece  jackets use 
applicable standards.  
 
 
2       Normative references  
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content 
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For 
undated references, the latest edition of the re ferenced document (including any amendments) applies . 
 
KS EAS 223:2001 Specification for Zippers  
KS ISO 1833 Textiles — Quantitative chemical analysis  
KS ISO 3758 Care labelling using codes  
 
3 Terms and DEFINITIONS  
 
For the purposes of this standard the following definitions shall apply:  
 
3.1 facing    — A form of garment finish applied to neaten and conceal a raw edge in place of a hem; also 
the lining in a garment on parts exposed by being turned back.  
 
3.2  fusible lining and interlining  —  A lining or interlining which has been treated so that it adheres to 
other fabrics by the application of heat and pressure.  
 
3.3  lining — Fabric shaped to cover the inside of garments; lining usually has smooth, non -irritant surface.  
 
3.4  interlining  — Material (layer of wool or fuzzy cotton) between the outer fabric and lining of some coats 
to provide warmth.  
 
3.5  interfacing   — Fabric sewn, fused or placed between the outer fabric and the lining in areas such as 
collars and lapels, cuffs, belts, buttonholes and opening edges.  
 
3.6  back -tack  — The sewing of a few additional stitches on top of the first or last stitches of a seam to 
prevent ripping or unravelling of the seam.  
 
3.7 bar-tack — A reinforcement by mean s of close, repeated stitching used in apparel at points of             
strain such as at pocket corners, seam ends, belt loops, buttonholes, etc.  
 
3.8       raw edge   —  A cut edge of fabric, which may unravel or fray if left in this state.  
 
3.9        seam   —  Line of junction between two edges of fabric.  
 
3.10  taping of seams   — The sewing of a tape or narrow band of fabric into a seam to strengthen and 
stabilize the seam structure.  
3.11  trimmings, trims    — Ornamentations such as braids or embroid ered badges used to enhance the 
aesthetic appeal of the garment.  
3.12  components    — Linings, buttons, zippers, tapes, hooks and eyes, etc.  
  
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  iii 
   
 
 
 
 
4.0 General  requirements  
4.1 Seams   — Not less than 5 stitches per centimetre shall be used for seams.  
NOTE :   It is advisable not to exceed 6 stitches per cm.   
4.2 Seam Finishes   — All seams shall be finished by the most suitable method if they are not covered by 
a lining (examples of seam finishes are zigzagging, edge -stitching, turned under, bound edge,  overlock 
stitching, etc.).  
4.3 Depending on stitch type, blind stitching shall have 2 stitches per cm and 3 to 4 stitches per cm on 
another type.  
4.4  Button Sewing — Buttons shall be machine sewn through two layers of fabric with not less than 12 
stitches per button including tying stitches correctly locked.  
4.5  Buttonholes   — Not less than 14 stitches per cm shall be used. The stitches shall be measured on one 
side of the buttonhole and shall not include the bar -tacks. All ends of threads shall be s ecurely fastened.  
4.6  Buttonholes  
4.6.1  Thickness —  Buttonholes shall be made through not less than two thicknesses of materials. and shall 
be stitched in accordance with 4.1.5 .  
4.6.2 Buttonhole Placement — The top buttonhole on a centre closing for a shirt shall be placed below the 
neckline edge at least half the width of the button plus 5 mm. The last buttonhole on a dress shall be 6 
cm to 8 cm from the bottom and shall not be on the hem. Buttonholes shall not be placed closer than 
1.6 cm from a clo sing edge. For a large button, the extension from the end of the buttonhole to the 
closing edge shall be not less than half the button's width plus 5 mm.  
4.6.3  Stitching —  Buttonholes shall be bar -tacked with not less than 5 stitches or fish -tailed and shall b e 
clearly cut.  
  
4.6.4  Length   — The length of the buttonhole shall be 3 mm greater than the diameter plus the thickness of 
the button.  
4.6.5  Distance Between Holes   — Distance between buttonholes shall be not more than 10 cm on blouses 
and shirts, and not more than 12 cm on dresses and skirts and 3 cm to 4 cm on trousers.  
  
4.6.7  Facings  —  Facings for fold -back collars shall be such that the inside edge of the facing does not show. 
The raw edges shall be either finished with overlock or zigzag sti tches. Where buttons and buttonholes 
are used facings shall be wide enough to form a second thickness of material for securing the button 
and making the buttonhole.  
4.6.8 Hems  — The minimum hem shall be:  
  (a) on dresses and skirts 4 cm to 5 cm.  
 (b) on trousers and slacks 5 cm.  
4.6.9  Reinforcing    —  All reinforcing at points which require strengthening shall be bar -tacked or back sewn. 
The ends of all seams and stitching, unless secured by other stitching and all breaks in the thread, shall 
be securely  back -stitch tacked.  
4.6.10 Belt-loops    —  Belts loops on tunics and dresses shall be firmly attached to the garment into the side 
seams and bar -tacked where necessary. Narrow belt loops 1 cm or less in width on shorts, slacks, skirts 
and trousers shall be bar -tacked at both ends.  
  
4.6.11     Sewing Threads  —  Synthetic or synthetic natural fibre blend fabrics in which the synthetic is the 
majority shall be sewn only which synthetic blend threads. Natural fibre fabrics shall be sewn with mercerized  
iv © KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 cotton threads. Buttons and buttonholes s hall be sewn with blends, cotton (coated with beeswax) , nylon or 
polyester or any other appropriate synthetic stronger than cotton. The shade of sewing thread shall match with 
that of the fabric.    
 
4.6.12   Pockets    —  All pockets shall be reinforced at  each corner or at each end of the opening by means of 
bar-tacking. Where the garment is of woollen flannel fabric, light weight or loosely woven fabric the 
pockets shall be reinforced and any bar -tacking shall be stitched through both the pocket and the 
reinforcing material.  
 
Inserted pockets shall be made of synthetic or synthetic blend fabric. The seams of pockets shall be 
secured by an interlock stitch plus a safe seam.  
4.6.13 Trimmings and Components  — All trims and components shall be compatible in performance with the 
base cloth.  
4.6.14  Buttons — The buttons shall be of good quality and conform to KS 398 Specification for plastic buttons.  
4.6.15  Eyelets and Hooks — These shall be of good quality and rust -proof.  
4.6.16   Zippers  — Zippers shall conform to the requirements of KS EAS 223  
 
4.6.17 Linings and Interfacings  —  Linings and interfacings shall have characteristics of colour fastness and 
dimensional stability similar to those of the base cloth. The bonding of fusible inte rlinings shall withstand the 
laundering and or dry cleaning specified on the label without breakdown. The characteristics of the interlining 
shall conform to KS 08 -214, Specification for woven interlinings and linings.  
.  
 
4.6.18  The garments shall be fr ee from the following fabrication defects:  
 
(a) prominently noticeable stains,  
 
(b) prominently noticeable defective stitching,  
 
(c) loose ends of sewing thread getting easily frayed,  
 
(d) any other defect which would significantly mar the appearance or affect the serviceability or    
durability of the garment,  
 
(e) hole, cut or tear, and  
 
(f) prominently noticeable non -alignment of pockets, buttons and buttonholes.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  v 
  5.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS  
 
5.1 The fibre compos ition of the school wear shall b e as declared subject to a tolerance of ± 5 %.  This shall be 
determined in accordance with KS ISO 1833.  
5.1 Size of  school Uniforms  
5.1.1 The waist of the trouser and shorts of age  4-8 years shall be elasticated and shall be of the following sizes 
indicated in Table 1.  
Table 1: CHILDREN ELASTICAT ED TROUSERS BOTH GIRLS AND BOYS  
WAIST (inches)  LENGTH (inches)  
22 22 
22 23 
22 24 
22 25 
23 26 
23 27 
23 28 
24 29 
24 30 
24 31 
25 32 
25 33 
26 34 
 
5.1.2 The trouser  and shorts  for boys of  age 10 -18 years shall be of the following sizes indicated in Table 2 . 
5.1.3  The size of the trouser for girls shall be of the following sizes indicated in Table 3  
 
Table 2: BOYS TROUSERS AND SHORTS  MEASUREMENTS   
WAIST  (INCHES )  LENGTH (INCHES  
25 34,35,36  
26 35,36,37  
27 36,37,38  
28 37,38,39  
29 38,39,40  
30 39,40,41  
31 40,41,42  
32 41,42, 43  
33 42,43,44  
34 43,44,45  
35 43,44,45  
36 43,44,45  
a = the  3  measurements for length represent short, regular or 
long .  
Example  
A manufacturer can make A trouser of waist 25 with a short 
length of 34  
Or make  
A trouser of waist 25 with regular length of 35  
  
vi © KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Table 3: GIRLS TROUSERS  MEASUREMENTS   
WAIST (inches)  LENGTH (Inches)  HIPS(inches)  
25 32 or 33 or 34 34,35,36  
26 33,34,35  35,36,37  
27 34,35,36  36,37,38  
28 35,36,37  37,38,39  
29 36,37,38  38,39,40  
30 37,38,39  39,40,41  
31 38,39,40  40,41,42  
32 39,40,41  41,42,43  
33 40,41,42  42,43,44  
34 41,42,43  43,44,45  
35 41,42,43  44,45,46  
36 41,42,43  46,47,48  
 
5.1.4 The size s of the straight skirts s hall be as indicated in Table 4  
5.1.5 The length of the skirts from the waist of 25 inches shall  not be less than 25 inches  
Table 4: SKIRTS  (STRAIGHT)  MEASUREMENTS   
WAIST (inches)  HIPS(inches)  
25 35,36  37 
26 36,37 ,38 
27 37,38 ,39 
28 38,39 ,40 
29 39,40 ,41 
30 40,41,42  
31 41,42,43  
32 42,43,44  
33 43,44,45  
34 44,45,46  
35 45,46,47  
36 47,48,49  
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  vii 
   5.1.6 The  size of girls dresses shall be as indicated in the Table 5  
 Table 5: DRESSES  MEASUREMENTS   
Burst (inches)  Waist (Inches)  Length 
(inches)  
26 24 24 
28 25 26 
30 26 28 
32 27 30 
34 28 32 
36 29 34 
38 30 36 
40 31 38 
42 32 40 
44 34 42 
 
5.1.7  The sizes of the school shirts  shall be as indicated in Table 6 and 7  
 
 
Table 6: Child  3-12 years (in CM)  
 XS S M L 
Neck  29 29 31 32 
Chest  78 82 86 90 
 
Table 7: Teenage  13-19 years (in CM)  
 XS S M L 
Neck  29 29 31 32 
Chest  78 82 86 90 
 
5.1.8 The  fabric for making school shall comply with the requirements in  KS 541 part 1 and 2  
5.1.9 The colourfastness properties of the school wear shall comply with requirement in Table 7 below  
 
Table 7: Colourfastness properties  
Characteristic   NUMERICAL RATING, min.  TEST METHOD  
Light  Colour change  Staining  KS ISO 101 -B01 
KS ISO 101 -B02 6 — 
Rubbing  Dry — 4  
KS ISO 101 -X12 Wet — 4 
Perspiration,  Acid  5 5 
KS ISO 105 E04  Alkali  5 5 
Washing  5 5 KS ISO 105 C10  
Peroxide washing  4 4 KS ISO 105 N02  
 
   
viii © KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 6 Marking  
 
 The f ollowing information shall be on label securely attached to the garment  
 
I. Manufacturer name and address  or Trade mark  
II. Size designation  shall be as follows;  
a. Trousers for boys shall be designated by waist and length measurements of the garment   
b. Trouser for girls shall be designated by waist, length and hi ps measurements of the garment  
c. Dresses shall be designated by burst and Length  measure  
d. Straight skirts shall be designated by waist and hip measurement of the garment  
e. Shirts shall be designated by the chest  and neck measurement  of the garment.  
III. Care instructions as per KS ISO 3758  
IV. Country of manufacture