Minister Givan Says He Will Crack Down On Schools Ignoring The School Uniform Guidance on Affordability
Many working-class parents across County Down are facing pressures as they look ahead to the new term at the end of the summer holidays and wonder how they are going to pay for their children’s new school uniforms.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Paul Givan has said that he will act to ensure school uniforms are not a barrier to education for children and young people.
The Minister was responding to a motion in the Assembly today on making school uniforms affordable.
Welcoming the opportunity to address the issue, Minister Givan said: “School uniforms create a sense of belonging to a school community, supporting positive behaviour and high self-esteem.
“Uniforms should also act to ensure that pupils of all backgrounds feel welcome in school.”
School governing bodies are responsible for setting their own school uniform policy and the Department has issued guidance to support schools in setting that policy.
The Minister added: “The current guidance makes it clear that in setting their uniform requirements, schools should ensure they represent value for money.
“The increasing costs of school uniforms, particularly with the use of branded items or uniforms only being available from a single supplier, places an unnecessary burden on parents and children, particularly those from a low-income household.”
“Many schools have followed this guidance and I welcome that, however, it also has to be said that there are other schools which have not.
“That is not a situation which I am going to permit to continue.”
Committing to take steps to deliver an equal system for all families, the Minister said: “Uniform policies must be developed with the best interests of the child and young person at heart.
“For my part, I will issue proposals for consultation in the near future seeking the views of stakeholders, parents and children as we move to provide a level playing field for families from all backgrounds.”
But will the consultation help parents before the next school intake who are currently facing hefty bills as they may have several children going to school all needing fitted out ?
