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There is significant support for a new law to make all school uniforms affordable, according to a consultation on the proposed new law. It attracted about 7,500 responses from young people, parents and organisations.
More than three-quarters of respondents were in favour of making school uniforms affordable by law. But there were concerns over whether a “cost cap” on uniforms would work.
Campaigner and Alliance councillor Naomi McBurney told BBC News NI: “Branded sports kits are a financial drain. Parents and guardians are at the end of their tether.”
The Department of Education (DE) issued guidance in 2018 which “advised” schools to keep uniform costs to a minimum. But the Education Minister Paul Givan has said he intends to bring forward a School Uniforms Bill which will require schools to keep uniform costs affordable.
Some parents also called for more flexibility on uniforms, especially for children with special educational needs (SEN). Emma Morgan is a mother and a board member of SEN Reform NI. She told BBC News NI that with the costs of sending SEN children to school, uniforms added “extra pressure” on families.
School rules being too strict was mentioned by responders and that no child should be disciplined if they could not afford the correct uniform. Ties were also called “unnecessary and a potential safety hazard”.
Among the suggestions for keeping costs low were to: remove the need for school blazers, have a range of shops where uniforms could be bought.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) told the department that while it supported measures reducing the number of branded items in schools, price caps could have “unintended consequences”. It said a cap could reduce choice, impact the quality of goods or lead to higher prices if set too high.
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