MPs express support for obligatory school uniform policy

Members of Parliament (MPs) say they don’t want school uniforms to be done away with.

This came as they expressed their support for an obligatory uniform policy.

Members of Parliament’s basic education portfolio committee were responding to submissions by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) questioning the need for binary uniforms that are gender-specific.

The commission also registered its reservations about the direct correlation between school uniforms and improved discipline or academic performance.

The commission on Tuesday briefed MPs about its investigation into school uniform policies after receiving complaints that highlighted biases in them.

Dr Eileen Carter, who heads the commission in Eastern Cape, said reservations were also raised about the effectiveness of uniforms.

“The commission emphasises the reservations about the direct correlation between school uniforms and improved discipline.”

Committee chairperson Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba said uniforms are worn throughout society for a purpose.

“Generally, I’m thinking if these children want to take a career path that will want them to wear a uniform and yet you would want to say that uniforms are overregulated.”

However, Carter added, the commission had no desire to abolish uniforms but recommended a more relaxed approach that’s more gender-neutral in both uniform and hair policy.

-EWN

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