Education Ministry to ditch school uniforms if students prefer tracksuits

The Education Ministry has said it is open to phasing-out traditional school uniforms and replacing them with tracksuits, as it kicks off a consultation process on a proposed reform.

The ministry said in a statement on Thursday that it would be launching a consultation process, the first phase of which will see middle and secondary students give their opinion as to whether they prefer they current uniforms or if they would like to see this changed to a tracksuit.

The consultation period will be open from the tomorrow until next Friday and students can participate by answering questions online.

Primary school students will also be consulted, the ministry said, adding that their opinions will be gauged through a series of focus groups.

The ministry said that once the information has been collected, the consultation will move on to the children’s parents.

“If it is decided that the tracksuit should be the only uniform, the ministry believes there should be a phasing-in of this new uniform,” read the statement.

It said that in this eventuality, the necessary arrangements will be made regarding when this will be implemented so as to avoid placing additional burdens on parents, where possible.