Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PUPILS ‘EXCLUDED’ FROM ACTIVITIES OVER UNIFORM
Survey reveals 75% of children disciplined for breaking rules
MORE than a third of young people have experienced exclusion from a school activity for not wearing the correct uniform.
That’s according to a survey by the Parent Engagement Group and the Secondary Students’ Union of Northern Ireland, which also found 75% have been disciplined for an infringement.
PEG spokesperson Naomi Mcburney said: “The original intention of school uniforms was to offer a sense of equality for children and young people irrespective of their family’s income.
“Somewhere along the way that intention has become lost with ever growing unaffordable school uniform and PE kits and in many instances young people seeing their right to education denied because of minor uniform infringements. This is not only an extreme response to a uniform violation but also a direct denial of children’s rights.
“This needs to be addressed by the Minister of Education and her department as a matter of urgency.” She was speaking after the survey in which more than 1,000 online responses were received from students across the post primary sector on the impact of school uniforms and PE kits.
A Department of Education spokesperson added: “The Department is mindful that the cost of uniforms can be challenging for families and anything that reduces the burden is most welcome.
“The Department has commenced a review into free school meals and uniform grant eligibility criteria.
“The review will also consider the cost of uniforms among other issues.
“The views and experiences of young people will be important to this review. “We welcome the work of PEG and the views of PEG, parents, children and young people will be of significant benefit to the review as options for the way forward are considered.”