Uniforms give pupils a sense of pride in their school and lessen social conflict

I believe it is time the debate about the desirability of school uniform is laid to rest because to argue against this is merely contrarian.

Opponents of school uniform cite factors such as the limitation it places on the pupil’s self-expression. Such an argument ignores the fact that school uniform promotes organisational culture in a school as pupils see themselves as belonging to one institution. This should not be confused with an engendering of a group-think or herd mentality.

The anti-uniform brigade also lists the legal and financial implications by arguing that it violates the individual rights of pupils and that the cost factor might also hinder access to schooling.

This is a thin argument because the classroom, as the coalface of the interaction between pupils and teacher, lends itself to an exchange of ideas where critical thinking is not only allowed but encouraged.

A more recent argument against uniform is that the needs of transgender pupils are ignored as they are restricted to gender stereotypes. A way out of this impasse would be for schools to exercise flexibility by allowing pupils to dress in uniform appropriate to the gender with which they identify.

What needs to be clarified is that schools are institutions designed to provide learning environments for the teaching of pupils under the direction of teachers. What are paramount are the teaching and learning activities and not the attire.

Under normal circumstances, a school would derive its identity from its name, vision, mission and uniform. All these variables would be arrived at after a consultative process among stakeholders with the parents having a major say in the final product.

The name will most likely articulate the aspirations of a particular community associated with the school. For example, a name such as Atlehang would mean that parents aspire for their children to be successful in their lives and see the school as a major vehicle towards the attainment of such an ideal. The name itself will then serve as a constant reminder of the aspiration and thus as a source of motivation.

The vision will spell out what the school seeks to achieve which basically encapsulates the rationale for its existence. Such a vision will have to be aligned with the one for the national or provincial department of education. The mission will then express the steps or action to be taken to achieve the stated vision.

Having dispensed with the said components, the school community will then have to grapple with the question of the school uniform. It is most unlikely to find any opposition to the necessity of a unique uniform.

Stakeholders will have to decide on the colour, the emblem and the motto the school will adopt to give meaning to the uniform. To an extent, the emblem and motto will also have to be in sync with the school’s vision and mission. Choosing an emblem and motto is highly complex and should ultimately give expression to what the school stands for and where it wants to go. It should be an articulation of how things are envisaged to be done at a particular school.  

It is clear that the rationale and purpose of school uniform is to foster group cohesion and ensure that pupils identify with and embrace the values that the school espouses. Besides the philosophical underpinnings in support of the retention of school uniform, it also has some practical advantages that include the lessening of social conflict within the school.

The fact that their uniform is likely to make them see themselves as one, socioeconomic boundaries are circumvented as uniform is relatively affordable compared to other items of clothing.

As children are mostly impressionable creatures, others might find themselves pressured into sartorial competition with their peers. Such a reality might lead to damaged self-esteem owing to anxiety on what to wear. With uniforms in place, children are likely to focus more on their education than on their wardrobes.

Such undivided focus would then create an effective learning atmosphere. The likelihood of gangs who could identify themselves through some form of clothing is also nipped in the bud as all pupils are expected to adhere to the uniform rule.

School bullies will also find it difficult if not impossible to tease or ridicule other children based on what they wear and this would curtail disciplinary challenges and assist in the maintenance of a sense of institutional order. This would also result in improved school attendance.

It is against this background that school uniform should be retained as it can only serve to bolster the culture of teaching and learning and ensure healthy authority relations between teachers and pupils. Moreover, school uniform is beautiful and the right way to go.