School uniform

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A school uniform is an outfit—a set of standardized clothes—worn primarily for an educational institution. They are common in primary and secondary schools in many nations. When used, they form the basis of a school's dress code. United States uniforms, since having been accepted, have no revealing tears or rips. Traditionally, school uniforms have tended to be subdued and professional. Boys' uniforms often consist of dark short or long trousers and light-colored shirt, often with a tie. Girls' uniforms vary greatly between countries and schooling systems, but typically consist of a dress or a blouse worn either with a skirt or culottes or under a pinafore. In some countries, gender-specific uniforms have been a point of contention, with some schools permitting female students to choose either skirts or trousers while still requiring male students to wear trousers. The use of a blazer or suit-like jacket for either gender is also fairly common, especially in countries with relatively cold weather.

Contents 1 Use according to country 1.1 Australia 1.2 China 1.3 Germany 1.4 Israel 1.5 Italy 1.6 Japan 1.7 Malaysia 1.8 New Zealand 1.9 Pakistan 1.10 Philippines 1.11 Russia 1.12 Singapore 1.13 South Africa 1.14 South Korea 1.15 Sri Lanka 1.16 Taiwan 1.17 Trindad and Tobago 1.18 Turkey 1.19 United Kingdom 1.20 United States 1.21 Indonesia 2 Efficacy 3 Laws and rulings against school uniforms 4 References 5 External links

Use according to country

Australia

School uniforms in Australia have traditionally followed the British models.^[1] Most private and government schools, in all Australian states, have a compulsory uniform policy, though the degree of enforcement varies.^[2] For boys, the uniforms generally include a button-up shirt and/or polo shirt together with either short trousers (especially for summer wear) or long trousers, often in grey.^[3] Where short trousers are to be worn, long (knee-length) socks in school colours are often required. Girls' uniforms generally include skirts, culottes, dresses, jumpers, blouses and/or poloshirts and sometimes also trousers and shorts. At private schools, uniforms for either gender often include a blazer, tie and hat.^[4] A different uniform specifically for sports is usually worn for physical education activities. These can include skin tight leggings, shorts, tennis skirts/netball skirts. The uniform in the picture on the right is from a public school.

Government schools, especially primary schools, in Australia tend to be more flexible with the way the school uniforms are worn than most private schools, which are strict regarding presentation of the school uniform.

In recent times Year 12 students at some Australian schools have been allowed to wear special jumpers (Leavers Jumpers) or printed tops to denote their final-year status. In some schools this has taken the form of a different coloured jumper (sometimes white or cream), or a special commemorative year-12 top (e.g. a rugby top) with the last two digits of the year and a name or nickname displayed (shown at right). Alternatively, tops are sometimes printed with the names of all students in that year level.^[5] Some schools also have different ties or blazers for senior years.

China

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Uniforms are a common part of the schools in China. Most students are required to wear a full uniform or parts of the uniform from elementary school all the way to highschool. Uniforms in mainland China usually consist of two sets, one for summer and the other for winter. Uniforms for boys in the winter usually consist of a zip up sweater and pants, and a collared shirt (usually white) with shorts or pants. The uniforms for girls in the winter are basically the same as the boys' uniform. However, the summer uniform for girls consist not only of a collared shirt and pants, they also have the option of a skirt. A red scarf is a mandatory part of every school's uniform, or a school pin in the summer.

Germany

School uniforms have no strong tradition in Germany and are virtually unknown today.

From the 16th century, students (especially of secondary or grammar schools and similar institutions) were often subject to regulations that prescribed, for example, modest and not too stylish attire. In many cases these regulations were part of wider laws concerning the clothing of all citizens of certain social classes. A blue coat became a widespread, obligatory status symbol of students of secondary schools; it fell out of use during the latter half of the 18th century. In newer times, school uniforms in any real sense did not exist outside of convent schools and private boarding schools. At times, certain fashions became so widespread that they approached uniform status; this is true in particular for so-called student hats (Schülermützen) that became widespread from the 1880s on and remained somewhat popular until they were banned by the Nazis. Their wearing was advocated by teachers and the students themselves and occasionally made mandatory, but never on a national or state-wide level. Another instance are the sailor suits that became fashionable around the turn of the 19th century. These, too, were not usually a prescribed uniform.^[6]

The Nazis banned student hats – the last remaining, if voluntary, form of unified student clothing – because they considered them an attribute of class society. They did, however, institute mandatory membership in the uniformed Hitler Youth (HJ) from 1936 on. HJ uniforms were worn in the Adolf Hitler Schools and in the Napolas; students of other schools sometimes wore them to school at their own discretion.

In recent times, the introduction of school uniforms has been discussed, but usually the expression "uniform" (the word is the same in German) is avoided in favour of terms like "school clothing" ("Schulkleidung"). School clothing has been introduced in a small number of schools, for example in Hamburg-Sinstorf in 2000, and in Friesenheim and Haag (Oberbayern) in 2005. In these cases the clothes are collections of shirts, sweaters, and the like, catering to contemporary fashion senses. Uniforms in a more traditional sense are almost never proposed in earnest.

Israel

According to former Education Minister Limor Livnat, about 1,400 Israeli public schools require pupils to wear uniforms.^[7]

School uniforms used to be the norm in Israel in the state's early days, but have since fallen out of favour. However, in recent years, the number of schools using school uniforms has been increasing once more. Many teachers, parents and students are in favour of returning the school uniform to common use to prevent the deepening of the gap between affluent children and those less well-off. Nowadays school uniforms are mainly associated with schools belonging to the national religious school system, which is separated from secular Jewish schools.^[8] Arab Israeli schools also frequently require uniforms: for girls, it is often a pinafore to be worn over trousers and shirt.

Today, school uniforms in Israel consist only of a shirt with the school logo. In the summer, the uniform shirt is a simple T-shirt, while in the winter, the shirts worn are warm or hooded sweaters. Although the shirts are uniform, they usually come in various colours, and allow students to customize and express themselves even while wearing a uniform. The shirts sell for a very small amount of money, so that even those who do not have a lot of money can acquire them.

Italy

In Italy, school uniforms are uncommon, partially because child uniforms are associated with the era of Benito Mussolini before World War II when children were placed according to their age into Italian Fascist youth movements and had to wear uniforms inside and outside school.

However, until the early 1970s many high schools required girls to wear black grembiule (resembling a doctor smock) on top of their clothes: no uniform was required for boys. Perhaps this was because at one time high schools were the only public schools to be co-ed (as opposed to junior schools and elementary), and girls may be required to "cover up" not to distract their male counterparts. Indeed this policy was highly disputed during the sexual revolution of the 1960s and later abolished.

Nowadays, many pre-schools advise parents to dress their children with a grembiulino, i.e., a small grembiule, usually shorter and more colourful, that can be purchased cheaply.

Some elementary schools advise some kind of grembiule for the younger pupils. Sometimes girls are required to wear a pink or white grembiulino, while boys may be required to wear a short cotton jacket, usually blue or black. In other cases both boys and girls may be required to wear a more neutral blue grembiule.

Some parents send their children to school in a grembiule even if the school does not require it.

Poet and children's writer Gianni Rodari has described adult life as "a school without grembiule and school desk".^[9]

In 2004 the Italian chapter of WWF warned that synthetic grembiules were harmful to pupils.^[10]

In July 2008 Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini proposed the re-introduction of the compulsory smock in public schools, provoking a debate in the Italian press.^[11]

Japan

See Japanese school uniform.

Malaysia

Malaysia introduced British-style school uniforms in the late 19th century during the colonial era. Today, school uniforms are almost universal in the public and private school systems. The current Malaysian school uniforms are compulsory for all students attending public schools. For details see Malaysian school uniform.

New Zealand

Traditionally, many New Zealand Intermediate and high schools have followed the British system of school uniforms,^[12] although it is common in state schools for the boy's uniform to have a jersey and grey short trousers rather than a blazer with tie and pants (long trousers). This usually consists of a variety of the following apparel: an 'official' school jersey, jacket and tie, a grey/white shirt, pants and/or shorts, and, in many girls' schools, kilts. Blazers and jackets are of varied colours according to the school - dark or light blue, grey, crimson, scarlet, green or black. Some follow the British practice of having contrasting colours edging the lapels and jacket fronts. Caps or other headwear have generally been discarded since the 1970s. Where short trousers are worn, boys are usually required to wear long dark socks, which may require garters to hold them up.^[13]

Being allowed to wear long trousers as part of the uniform, rather than shorts, often marks the transition from junior to senior classes. At some schools, seniors are allowed to wear casual clothing, known colloquially as "mufti".

During the 1980s and 1990s there was a tendency for the traditional uniform to be replaced by cheaper and more 'modern' options: polo shirts,^[14] polar fleece tops, or a complete doing away with uniforms in favour of mufti. This trend seems to have been reversed in recent years and only a small number of secondary schools now no uniforms at all. Intermediate schools usually provide the option of skirts or culottes for girls and sometimes shorts while boys will wear shorts. Also bike shorts or tights are sometimes worn under girls' skirts. At high school girls will usually wear culottes, skirts or pants and boys will wear shorts or pants. Some girls' schools also have navy blue skirts and open necked white blouses long in winter and short in summer, as the skirts are not allowed higher than below the knee; the skirts also have splits up the center at the back.

Pakistan

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Due to its colonial history public and private sector schools both have uniforms. Boys mostly wear shirts and trousers with a tie, while girls wear a dress or a skirt when young and the traditional "shalwar Kamiz" after 7 or 8 years of age. Uniforms differ between winters and summers e.g. the colour of trousers, additional clothing e.g. sweaters or blazers etc. Some schools have caps.

Although strictly enforced when young, older school children personalise their clothing e.g. by wearing low coloured jeans instead of pants, or girls might wear a hijab. Young kids however can face fines, can be sent back home and can even face verbal and physical punishment for not wearing the right clothes. Some school provide a day where boys and girls can wear "coloured clothes" i.e. anything that they wear normally while others do away with uniforms altogether by the time they reach A levels.

In madraasas, boys normally wear a white cap and the traditional Pakistani dress of shalwar kamiz. Girls also wear this but almost always wear a hijab or a "dubatta" (shawl) on their heads. Shalwar kamiz is a traditional dress which is not only worn as a school uniform, but is also worn as normal clothing. It is also very necessary for a girl to wear a hijaab or a "dupatta", to show respect and look disciplined.

Philippines

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School uniforms are common in Philippine schools for both elementary and high school, as well as a few colleges. For boys, a school uniform normally consists of a white shirt (some similar to the Barong Tagalog) with short sleeves and slacks of either khaki, black or blue. For girls, a uniform would be a white blouse with short sleeves, a ribbon, a necktie and a pleated skirt.

In the 1970s and 80s, school uniforms were usually white long-sleeved shirts and neckties with black slacks for boys, while short or long sleeved blouses with ribbon and blue pleated skirts for girls. During that time, the skirts were usually shorter, ranging from about half an inch after the upper knee or shorter, while the longest was 1 inch before the lower knee. Due to the growing cases of abuses, the school uniform code for girls slowly grew stricter until the late 1990s, when skirts were made much longer.

Some schools, especially for boys, require wearing a coat and tie alongside the white shirt. But this mostly applies only in colleges and international schools.

Russia

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In Russia, school uniforms were abolished after the 1917 revolution, but were re-introduced in 1948. Initially, the new uniform was very similar to that in place before the communist takeover. Wearing uniform was made mandatory and pupils were penalized for not following the rules.

The style of Soviet school uniform was modernized in 1962, and since that time was modified each decade. There could be some variations across different Soviet Republics. Boys generally wore dark blue pants and jackets, girls — brown dresses with black aprons and black bows (on special occasions, white aprons and bows were worn). The members of the Young Pioneer organization, to which literally every student belonged, wore famous red neckties. Special sport uniforms also existed for physical education classes. In the early 1980s, a dark blue three-piece suit was introduced for girls and the strict rules on haircuts were loosened.

In 1992, mandatory school uniforms were abolished. Today, there is no unified standard uniform in Russia; however, certain schools may have their own uniform that students are required to wear. Educational institutions without a uniform may also have a certain dress code.

There is also a modern-day tradition for girls to dress into brown Soviet-style school uniform for their graduation ceremony.

Singapore

Singapore has some of the most distinctive school uniforms anywhere. Uniform is absolutely compulsory for all students, not only at primary and secondary school but also at the pre-university (Junior College) level.^[15] The normal uniform for boys is shorts or long pants in the specified colour and material, with a short-sleeved shirt (often white). Girls' uniforms include pinafores or skirts, with blouses and shorts underneath.

Uniform requirements are laid down in great detail by each school and these are rigorously enforced.^[16] Colours and styles for shirts or blouses, and for trousers or skirts, are tightly specified, and in some cases the shirt or blouse must have military-style epaulettes, and/or a metal badge on each collar, and so on. Some schools, most famously Raffles Institution, have a 100% all-white uniform.^[17] Because of the tropical climate, blazers and ties are worn only for special occasions. It is therefore the boy's shirt or girl's blouse, rather than a blazer as in the UK, on to which the school badge must be sewn. Nearly all schools require white socks and white shoes.

At almost all secondary schools, boys are not permitted to wear long trousers until they start secondary 3 (normally the year in which a student turns 15, but in certain cases he might be a year or even two years older). In a few schools, the year of changing from shorts to longs is secondary 4; and in one or two, such as Catholic High School, male students must wear short pants throughout their time at the school.^[18]

South Africa

As in many other former British colonies, all South African private and public schools have a uniform, and it is compulsory in all public schools and in the vast majority of private schools.^[19] Uniform types vary less between public and private schools than they do across regions, where schools in more rural areas tend to forgo the daily wearing of ties and/or blazers for boys and girls regardless of their public or private nature. However, many of these same schools will have a "number ones" uniform for special occasions which include such items. In cities such as Cape Town, on the other hand, it is more common to see formal apparel required in public and private schools on a daily basis. Many schools across South Africa also provide the choice between a summer and winter uniform, with khaki uniforms and brown shoes being very common in the summer. South African law has not required gender neutrality in school dress codes and a distinction between girls' and boys' uniforms remains. Boys of all ages are normally required to wear grey or khaki short trousers with long socks, as in the illustration (right). Until recently, the straw boater was a common accessory in affluent public and private high schools, although these have now become optional in some cases.^[20]

South Korea

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Almost all South Korean secondary students wear a uniform called "교복"(校服, Gyobok). The majority of elementary schools except some private elementary schools do not have uniforms; however, the uniform is strictly monitored from the start of middle school and up. Based on Western-style uniforms, the South Korean uniform usually consists of a shirt, blazer and tie, with skirts for girls and long grey trousers for boys. More recently, the uniform is often worn by celebrities who target the younger, teen audience to sell entertainment products. The school uniform and school setting is frequently used as a venue for romance. As a result, the uniform has become something akin to an expression of fashion amongst students.

Sri Lanka

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All public and private schools in Sri Lanka require their students to wear uniforms. This is uniform is standard for boys with a white short sleeve shirt (long sleeve shirt for ceremonial occasions), blue or white (for ceremonial occasions) shorts for boys under grade 10 (15 years of age) and white longs for boys of and above grade 10.

Girls' uniforms may differ from school to school, however all uniforms are a white single piece frock. The differences may include the dress having short sleeves or no sleeves and having a collar or not. Most girls schools require their students to wear a tie.

For ceremonial occasions both boys and girls may wear the a white or black blazer (depending on the school, with its badge) with the school's tie.

International schools have their own individual uniforms of different color and styles.

Taiwan

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School uniforms are common in Taiwan.

This section requires expansion.

Trindad and Tobago

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Like most caribbean countries all students are required to wear a school uniforms except in tertiary education institutes.

Turkey

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School uniforms are used in all public and private institutions. There are several exceptions and most kindergartens do not require school uniforms. The uniforms vary in their appearance; primary schools use one-piece blue uniforms while in secondary and highschools boys wear dark grey trousers with white or light blue shirts, jackets and a tie. Girls have skirts and shirts coloured like boys plus a tie. Most private institutions have their own uniforms. School uniforms for primary schools were black coloured until 1990s.

In summer months teachers usually allow their students if they do not prefer to wear uniforms. Also during trips students usually do not wear uniforms. None of the universities or higher education institutes have uniforms.

School uniforms have a long history in Turkey. They were first introduced because normal clothing would give hints about the child's family's economic situation. In order to prevent groupings amongst children from different social classes, uniforms were accepted.

United Kingdom

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Many British primary and secondary schools require pupils to wear uniforms, but further education colleges and some school sixth-forms (for age 16+) do not usually have a uniform.^{[citation needed]}

Schools vary widely as to how prescriptive the uniform is, and how much the wearing of it is enforced.

School uniforms are required to be fair for both genders, provide a reasonably low cost and tolerate religious freedoms e.g. allowing sikhs to wear turbans.^[21]

School uniforms were first introduced on a large scale during the reign of King Henry VIII.^[22] The uniforms of the time were referred as "bluecoats", as they consisted of long trench-coat-style jackets dyed blue. Blue was the cheapest available dye and showed humility amongst all children. The first school to introduce this uniform was Christ's Hospital and it is the oldest uniform of any school.^[23]

In 1870 the Elementary Education act introduced free primary education for all children. The popularity of uniforms increased and eventually most schools had a uniform.^[22] During this period most uniforms reflected the trends of the age, with boys wearing short trousers and blazers until roughly the age of puberty and then long trousers from about 14 or 15. Girls mainly wore blouse, tunic dress and pinafore later progressing towards the beginning of the 20th century to gymslips.^[22][24]

These uniforms continued until the 1950s when after the Butler reforms secondary education was made free and the school leaving age was raised to 15. These reforms encouraged schools to implement uniform codes which were similar to other schools. Distinct "summer" and "winter" uniforms were sometimes required, particularly for girls where dresses were mandated for summer and gymslip for winter.^[22]

Over the last ten years a trend towards wearing school sweatshirts and polo shirts or t-shirts, (as well as more casual styles of trousers, such as plain, dark-coloured jeans, cargo pants or tracksuit bottoms), has been observed in many schools in the UK. This was seen as a way to modernise the uniform as well as make it more affordable to lower-income families who could not afford blazers, etc. Equally, temperatures in classrooms have changed over the last 50 years in the United Kingdom due to the introduction of central heating systems. This has, in some schools, made older uniforms, such as thick jumpers and blazers, seem impractical, especially in the summer months, prompting the adoption of more casual uniforms.

Nevertheless, there are still many schools of all kinds that retain (or even have reintroduced) the traditional blazer and tie in a bid to 'smarten up' their pupils and to combat bullying. Typical is a dark blazer in a specified colour (often but by no means always black) with the school's badge (with coat of arms or logo) sewn on to the left chest pocket. Trousers and skirts will also be of a specified colour, typically grey. If a tie is to be worn, it is usually of the school's special design, often with coloured stripes. Until the early 1970s it was common for boys to be in brief short trousers with long socks, until age 13 or 14. Nowadays most boys wear long trousers at both primary and secondary school, with shorts now required only at a few elite traditional schools, and even there the shorts are nowadays much longer and baggier than was normal in the 1960s and 1970s. Shorts are sometimes worn in warmer weather by primary school boys, and very occasionally in secondary school.

In most state schools, girls have a choice of trousers or skirts as part of their uniform - typically black, grey, navy, or sometimes brown or maroon. Similar to the shorts for boys, insistence on skirts is generally confined to independent and traditional state schools, after several state schools faced claims of sex discrimination on denying the option of trousers. In practice, however, many girls still wear skirts by choice, especially in primary schools. The kilted skirt is also common for girls in private schools. Additionally, the tailored shorts that are now in fashion in the UK are now increasingly being permitted during the summer months. Unlike in the United States there is no law forcing gender-impartial uniforms. As a result, especially in privately funded schools, the girls' and boys' uniforms often differ significantly from each other.

In areas of substantial minority-culture population, notably some inner cities, schools may allow female pupils to wear religiously-appropriate clothing, often in the school's typical uniform colours. Depending on the level of religious observance of the pupil, and the school's willingness to permit non-regulation clothing, this can sometimes cause difficulties.

United States

Few state schools in the United States have formal school uniforms, but most have dress codes regulating student attire. Dress codes usually include limits on skin exposure. They generally include prohibitions on clothing with tears or holes, exposure of undergarments, and anything that is obscene, gang-related, or unsafe. Some school dress codes specify the types of tops (e.g. collared) and bottoms (e.g. khaki) that are allowed, as well as specific colors (often the school colors). In recent years there has been a significant increase in dress codes (see below) for all levels of schooling. In most cases, while regulations vary greatly, a general idea of what is typically permitted includes^[25]

• Trousers
• Capri Pants
• Collared shirts (types vary significantly)
• Turtleneck
• Sweater
• Shorts
• Skirts
• Skorts
• Jumper dresses
• Culottes
• Tights
• Knee Socks
• Leggings
• Bike Shorts which are like short leggings or tights
• Flat soled shoes or dress sneakers like Keds school days, Mary Jane, ballet flats, Sperry Top-Sider, etc.
• Headband
• Scrunchie
• Tennis Dress
• Khaki Overalls

According to the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the fraction of American public schools requiring some sort of uniform rose from 3% in 1997 to 21% in 2000.

Indonesia

In primary school, the boys wore the school shirt, school tie, school pants, school cap and belt. The girls wear school shirts and school skirt.

At scout, the boys wore a hat, a scout shirt, a scout tie, scout pants and badges. The girl wears a scout tie, a scout skirt, a scout shirt and badges. Note this is not only siaga stuff. I think it is kinda cool and they also wear schooltown tags.

At international school such as SBGG and Springfield, they don't wear attire. File:Imgres.jpg

Efficacy

The efficacy of uniforms, in improving academic performance and student attitudes, is often debated.

A study published in The Journal of Education Research by David L. Brunsma, of the University of Alabama, and Kerry A. Rockquemore, of the University of Notre Dame,^[26][27] states:

"The findings indicate that student uniforms have no direct effect on substance use, behavioral problems, or attendance. A negative effect of uniforms on student academic achievement was found."

In Vivian Gussin Paley's book, White Teacher, she discusses the need to embrace differences, not ignore them.^[28]

Laws and rulings against school uniforms

In the Australian state of Queensland, Ombudsman Fred Albietz ruled in 1998 that public schools may not require uniforms.^[29]

In 2006, a new Education Act was passed within Queensland, Australia. This Act gives school staff within the public education system the power to assign punishment for non-compliance with school uniform dress code. According to the Act, students may not be suspended or expelled for non-compliance with the dress code. Punishment consists of one only of the following three choices for each non-compliance: 1. Detention. 2. Exclusion from any activity that is a non-essential part of the school's education program. 3. Exclusion from any activity where the student will be representing the school.

In the Philippines, the Department of Education abolished the requirement of school uniforms in public schools per DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008. However, a school attire was required under DepEd Order No. 46, s. 2008. The following were "suggested" as proper school attire in the latter order: Polo shirt or t-shirt with sleeves and pants for males; dresses, skirt and blouse or blouse and pants for females.^[30]

In the United Kingdom, technically a state school may not permanently exclude students for "breaching school uniform policy", under a policy promulgated by the Department for Children, Schools and Families but students not wearing the correct uniform are asked to go home and change. In some parts of the country, schools may not insist on students wearing a uniform as a precondition to attending and taking part in curricular activities. ^[31]

In the United States, a few states have regulations declaring that public schools must allow students to drop out of uniform policies. Although Section 83 of the Massachusetts Legislature appears to prohibit dress codes in public schools by declaring that schools may not "abridge the rights of students as to personal dress and appearance" [1], Section 86 states that "The provisions of sections eighty-three to eighty-five, inclusive, shall apply only to cities and towns which accept the same" [2] and other sections of the law allow schools to impose dress codes, and in fact many public schools in Massachusetts (mostly in the Boston area) have mandatory school uniforms [3].

In 1969, the United States Supreme Court ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District affirmed students' rights to free expression in public schools, although this related to the wearing of a black armband (not to uniforms as such). California Education Code 48907 affirms students' rights to "the wearing of buttons, badges, and other insignia" as well freedom of speech in student publications, subject to limited restrictions.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: School uniform

• Should school uniforms be mandated in elementary schools?
• Long Beach Unified School District Uniform Initiative: A Prevention-Intervention Strategy for Urban Schools, The
• NAESP : >>Information and Resources: Public School Uniforms
• What's in a school uniform? BBC