Kids can’t play in uniform

I, for a host of reasons, am all for school uniform. What I am NOT in favour of is the type and style of uniforms our children are required to wear.

We often complain that children don’t play enough, yet at school they are required to be dressed like little businessmen and women. School is the one place where kids have all the safe space and peers to play with before school and during what was formerly known as play time.

Yet I cannot see how they can play freely in formal wear. It is quite telling that the term play time has been replaced with a more generic break in most schools.

Some schools allow kids to wear tracksuits to school in winter but it must be worn with a shirt, tie, blazers and formal shoes!

Schools pride themselves with educating the child holistically yet they enforce this fashion faux pas.

Another reason I am not in favour of our Eurocentric style of uniform is the hefty price tag attached to it. I am reluctant to quote figures here because it differs from school to school and at many schools parents end up having to buy formal uniforms as well as sports gear up to thrice a year, depending on the growth of the child and the uniform specifications of the school.

Could this exorbitant amount of money not be used more wisely? What about a more informal uniform that would allow our children to play freely and feel more comfortable during play time?

This will also minimise the chances of uniforms going missing when they no longer need to change for various activities.

Schools could maintain their own identities by having their specific colours and badges.

The formal uniforms look smart but we have to ask ourselves how practical they really are for the purpose and activities of those who have to wear them. Many of these uniforms have been decided upon almost a century ago and few have done anything to change it since.

Formal uniforms could be reserved for special occasions when parents could rent a blazer/tie from the school or some other place much like they do with academic gowns at university.

I have noticed that the dress code for educators and many other working people have relaxed over the years. What about our poor, playing children? HEATHER DAVIS Zeekoevlei