I hate inflexibility about school uniforms
By pilbara
@pilbara (1436)
Australia
August 28, 2007 11:12pm CST
I am a teacher at a private school and a fair amount of importance is placed on uniform.
At the moment all students are wearing winter uniform and will for the rest of the term. For the girls this means thick stockings or tights are part of their uniform.
We are moving into spring and there have been a couple of days which were significantly hotter than average. Not surprisingly some students asked if they can wear their summer uniforms (which I would consider to be sensible). We have just had a directive from the principal that all students are to wear their winter uniforms for the rest of the term. He says that since he is wearing a suit in that weather they should "get over it" and tolerate what the required uniform.
The opposite happens earlier in the year when it starts to get cold and they have to wear their summer uniforms up until a set date no matter the temperature.
I don't see what the problem is. If they are wearing a correct uniform, why does it matter which it is as long as they are comfortable?
I also don't see what is gained by being that inflexible.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
29 Aug 07
I have never had to wear a school uniform and in fact I have never known anyone in Canada who had to wear one. I think it would have made life so much easier for me if we were made to wear one. I would say that because we were poor and I didn't have all the fancy duds this way everyone is treated equal. I can see where this would lead the rich kids would be angry and the poor kids would be very comfortable. As far as your question goes I do believe that if the students are made to wear the uniforms that's 100 % but they should be comfortable, fit properly and geared for the right climate. That would obviously mean extra uniforms. May I ask do the parents pay the full price of these uniforms or are they provided ?
1 person likes this
@sarwono_mandiri (67)
• Indonesia
30 Aug 07
Good topic Pilbara, i think i hate too,imposible if like that
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
29 Aug 07
I'm in Canada, and while weather here is somewhat unpredictable, the kids at private schools do have to wear a specific uniform until a certain point. Actually, since the girls wear knee high socks year round, I don't see how they aren't freezing in the winter, especially as they have to wear it to and from school as well.
Usually if the weather changes early or late, the parents complain until the headmaster says they can wear either uniform.
@maxsee212 (799)
• United States
30 Aug 07
although there are benefits in wearing school uniforms, i think that uniforms are a crutch. i hate wearing the same uniform going to school everyday. i am a kind of person that likes different kinds of things. i like change a lot. i like changes that will give me freedom or happiness. some uniforms are stupid and uncomfortable to wear. i think that students should wear their own civilian clothes when going to school. there should be a standards and rules on what you can wear at school. i don't want to see anybody wearing just their underwear in class.
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
29 Aug 07
Wow, it sure sounds like the principal is on some type of power trip. He needs to find something to do with his time. As long as the students are in one of the accepted school uniforms, why does it matter? I would be much more concerned about behavior and academia!! Weird!
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I think as you do, it is ridiculous that the children have to suffer the cold or the heat over one person's stubborness.
My children wear uniforms and they go to public school. They are in Elementary School and don't seem to mind. There was quite the uproar when the uniform policy was implemented back in 1998. Our uniform policy is pretty lax though; yellow, white or blue polo shirts and navy or khaki skirts/pants/shorts.
We can dress our children as cool or warm as we see fit during any time of the year.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I agree with you. All you need is for a student to either become sick in the winter because of a uniform that is too light weight or for a child to have heat stroke in the summer because of a uniform that is too heavy.Aren't your summers hot and humid? And if the winter uniform is made of wool, there would be a problem wearing them in the heat of summer.
@vinzen (1020)
• India
29 Aug 07
Yes, i agree with you, but i guess rules are rules and they have to be followed.
This happens in almost all the schools where the uniforms exist, which again i feel are a must and needed, as without that there would be no dress code. But, there are schools that i know of where this flexibility does exist, that is, when the change of weather is there, say like in winters, they have to start wearing the winte uniform when the term starts and they are already feeling cold, they normally wear inner wear within their summer clothes, and when summers are there and they have to be dressed in their woollens,they remove their woollens during the mid-day or tail end of the day, so that they feel comfortable.
What the school authorities are doing is, keeping a protection level for the children in general, so that there are no risks and those who are more vulnerbale to catching a cold etc, remain safe too. But yes, some of them carry this too far and ,make a issue of things, making it tough for the kids and parents.
