Opinion: School uniform debate returns

Teachers battle students over school uniform rules behind closed gates every year, and with every age group, but once in a while the issue comes to a head and crops up in the media.

This week I spoke to a number of local principals about how strict they were when enforcing uniform rules.

This came off the back of Motueka High School students being banned from wearing puffer jackets over their uniforms.

The students, outraged by the decision, turned to social media with a petition to uplift the ban.

I went to a high school with strict uniform rules so I can see the issue from both sides.

I remember being a 17-year-old and thinking how important it was for my "image" to have a Country Road gym bag, black high-top Chuck Taylors and a Kathmandu puffer jacket, but now I recognise there is a time and place for these trends, and it is not at school.

If students want a discussion around uniform changes, there are ways to go about it. Don't whinge and kick up a fuss on Facebook, talk to the school's principal and Board of Trustees.

Most educators I spoke to said they did not tolerate non-regulation clothing at school, asking students to remove the item. However, none said the students were then left to freeze for the rest of the day - they were given the correct uniform to wear.

A uniform is advertising for the school and the way students present themselves speaks volumes to the general public.

Surely it is not unreasonable for teachers to expect their students to have a little school pride?

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