Schools Find Alternatives to Traditional Uniforms

Tuesday 20th of February 2007 07:58:50 PM

For schools that require uniforms for all students, the burden of having to pay for these uniforms is too much for some parents. Officials across Britain have begun to look at possibly passing legislation that would regulate the types of uniforms that schools can request students wear. The need for more regulations stems from rising costs of uniforms, and using cost to keep poor students from attending these schools.

But many schools insist that they are doing all they can to keep the cost of uniforms down so that parents will be able to afford them. Selling clothing second hand to changing what is considered an acceptable uniform are all tactics that many schools have tried in order for parents to be able to send their children to school.

“We try to make sure that no child is excluded from wearing our uniform. We operate a charitable scheme to help parents to pay for the uniform and are very conscious that our uniform policy is not restricting access of pupils with poorer backgrounds,” said Lynne Holton, head of Clover Hill First School and Nursery.

Some schools have changed their uniform policy to include polo shirts and sweatshirts that bear the school’s crest instead of insisting students wear blazers and expensive shirts. “Many schools try to keep costs down by choosing colours that are easier to get hold of on the high street, so that parents can shop around for some of the items they need,” said Sarah Bird, owner of the National Schoolwear Centre.

But not everyone agrees with the possible legislation. A spokesman from the National Confederation of Parent-Teacher Associations said, “It is important to monitor how much parents are being forced to pay, but many schools have their own solutions to these problems and they work very successfully. We are concerned this legislation will restrict schools in their uniform choices.”

(c)Omar Franco, www.sxc.hu