School Uniform: In or Out?

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“Uniforms give schools a sense of identity and cohesion” said author and historian Alexander Davidson.

Wearing school uniforms in have long been a topic of debate in the Philippines. Whether to or to not impose a school uniform policy, school uniforms have been a part of students’ life. Students used to wear uniforms—a dress or white blouse with knee-length skirt for girls and white polo paired with shorts or pants for boys—as a representation of the school they attend.

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But basically, what is a school uniform? Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines the school uniform as special clothes worn within a particular school by students.

School Uniforms

Since school uniforms are worn for a specific school, students are easily recognized. School uniforms, in addition, blur the defined line between social classes in the Philippines. If students were to wear an identifiable school uniform, there would be a lesser chance of discrimination and/or bullying in terms of fashion style. It also adds formal look to the students.

School, in the first place, is a place of learning. With a set of uniform to wear, students would not take much time deciding on what to wear—they wouldn’t even have to decide at all; basically, students would have the chance to focus on lessons. However, considering those who cannot afford uniforms, former Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz signed an order for proper school attire. Though school uniforms are not really required, they are an economical option to looking presentable and feeling comfortable in school.

Wearing a school uniform, in fact, could be traced back to England as early as 1222. It was when Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, ordered the wearing of “cappa clausa”, the earliest recorded standardized academic dress.

When the 16th century came, school uniform began to get its new appeal with charity schools. Christ’s Hospital, which was founded in London in 1552, took care of and educated fatherless and poor children. Poor children were then provided by London citizens with clothes— long, blue coat, which became what they consider as school uniforms. As of today, Christ’s Hospital, also pertained to as Bluecoat School, still uses the old long blue coat uniforms and basically the institutions identity.

While, school uniforms could be used to easily identify students in the Philippines, there is still some who like to lift school uniform policy. There are several factors involved like the cost, right to self-expression and style of the school uniform.

However, school’s or someone’s identity could not just all rely in a single aspect which, in this case, is the school uniform. Expressing someone’s true self goes beyond someone’s school uniforms.

Whether you are in support or against wearing school uniform, respecting the school’s own set policy is way better than complaining. One more thing, choosing the school in which you would enroll will always be your decision and the uniform policy or identity of the schools in the Philippines is just one facet of that—the identity its students carry the name of their school with has a much, much bigger impact.