Final call for views on School Uniform policy
Date published:
Education Minister Paul Givan has made a final call for views on the school uniform policy consultation.
To date, the Department has received over 3,500 consultation responses.
The Minister said:
“There are two weeks remaining of the school uniform policy consultation and I am encouraging as many people as possible to provide their views and feedback in order to shape final policy proposals and legislation on this important issue.
“My overarching aim is to ensure that all school governing bodies put affordability, comfort and sustainability at the centre of their decision-making when they set their school uniform requirements.”
The Minister continued:
“At a time of growing pressure on family budgets, I want to ensure school uniforms are not a barrier to education for children and young people. I want to create a system where schools, supported by appropriate legislation and policy, will ensure that their uniforms are affordable for all.”
The consultation period will run until 27 September, closing at 5.00pm.
Notes to editors:
1. The Minister announced on 5 March that he intended to launch a consultation on placing current guidance for schools on uniform policy into legislation and also the introduction of a price cap for school uniforms.
2. The consultation centres around six key principles which will underpin the proposed guidance on uniforms. These principles are that:
a. school uniforms should be:
- affordable,
- comfortable and
- sustainable; and,
b. school uniform policies should be:
- developed in partnership with pupils and their parents/ carers,
- published and
- regularly reviewed.
3. The consultation documents and online questionnaire can be accessed here - School Uniform Policy Consultation | Department of Education (education-ni.gov.uk)
4. Follow us on Twitter @Education_NI(external link opens in a new window / tab)
5. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office at Press.Office@education-ni.gov.uk.