Council quizzed over uniform supply for pupils

PUPILS at 14 schools across Glasgow do not have local access to branded uniforms and must order from a shop in Stirling, it is claimed.

During a full council meeting Labour’s education spokeswoman councillor Aileen McKenzie asked the city convener, councillor Chris Cunningham, if he agreed that school uniforms should be reasonably priced and stocked locally.

Ms McKenzie asked: “Would the city convener also agree it is not acceptable that during these restrictive times 14 schools across Glasgow can only buy school branded items from a shop in Stirling which is currently closed?

“They are only taking orders via the internet excluding families with no access to the internet and delivery taking over one month.”

According to the Labour councillor’s research, families at Castlemilk, St Margaret Mary’s, Garrowhill and Holyrood High Schools, Lourdes and Smithycroft Secondary School, Notre Dame Primary and Secondary, St Andrews Roman Catholic School, Kirkriggs, St Benedict’s, St Marnock’s, St Martha’s and Swinton Primary School must purchase their blazers and ties from Logo Xpres Schoolwear.

Councillor Cunningham said that he was not aware of the details of what Ms McKenzie has described, branding it as an unfortunate set of circumstances.

He added: “It is of course entirely open to the schools where in situations a uniform cannot easily be obtained or requires internet access to take a more relaxed view of the policy.

“I would hope and expect schools would take such things into consideration in the current environment. I agree that it is entirely an unfortunate set of circumstances and I would be happy to pursue it further.”

Earlier in the meeting he agreed that school uniforms should be reasonably priced and highlighted that a significant amount of work has been done by schools and parents groups to address this issue.

He confirmed he would look into the issues raised by councillor McKenzie and invited her to email him regarding the situation.