Should they stay or go?

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There are many who think our school uniforms should be a little less informal and comfortable, but there are also others who think there is no dire need to change the attire.

I CAN still remember the joy and pride I felt, as I put on my brand new white blouse and navy blue pinafore for the first time. Stepping into the school gates, I saw about 100 other students, all dressed in the same outfit. It was then, that I truly felt like a student, a part of a community that I would belong to for the next 11 years of my life.

About 20 years later, I stand back and look at the seven-year-olds who are only beginning their journey in education. The school syllabus may have changed, the games they play in school may have evolved into something completely foreign to those of my generation, yet the school uniform remains a constant.

School uniforms were first instituted in charity schools for poor children in England in the 16th century, as it united all the students regardless of their level of affluence.

Ironically, by the 18th century, private preparatory schools began to adopt the idea of having school uniforms, and it then became a way of establishing their social status.

But in Malaysia, the tradition of school uniforms only began when the missionaries from the British colonial era made their mark at the end of the 19th century.

So why is there a need to wear school uniforms? Many feel that wearing the school uniform helps build the school spirit. It instills a feeling of belonging. Schools report an increase in school pride.

With the level of pollution and temperatures rising, are current school uniforms still relevant and appropriate for students today?

StarEducation speaks to a few students, parents, and their teachers to get their views on the matter.

Teens talk

For Form Five student Marissa Law, school uniforms are necessary because they bring some form of discipline and order amongst students. “Uniforms are a way of ensuring that students dress appropriately to school.”

Being a school prefect, Marissa has to wear a long-sleeved shirt and a tie to school daily, which she admits can be quite uncomfortable because of the hot climate.

“I think it would be more practical if we wore a simple T-shirt with shorts to replace our long skirts, shirts and ties,” she suggests.

Her friend, Tan Yin Ting agrees, explaining that certain private and international schools give students the option to choose their uniforms, and wishes she had that choice.

“My cousin who goes to an international school says that the school has a standard T-shirt for boys and girls, which is compulsory (see sidebar). However it allows its pupils the option of choosing either long pants, shorts or skirts, as long as they purchase them from the school.

“How I wish the Malaysian national school system will give us more choices because it will give students the chance to choose what they are most comfortable with,” says Yin Ting.

While she does not fully disagree with her friends, Low Chia Mei says that having a school uniform does not necessarily mean that students will dress appropriately or look modest.

“I have seen girls in our school who sometimes rip the sides of the skirts of their baju kurung on purpose, or wear pinafores that are sometimes too small and tight for them.”

Both Yin Ting and Chia Mei say that they iron their own uniforms which they claim is a “big chore” especially when they have other school activities and tuition to attend.

“It takes me about 45 minutes to iron three sets of uniforms!” says Yin Ting.

However, for Form Three student Intan Syazreen Khalil, ironing her own school uniform has become a habit and she has no complaints. She also thinks that it is important to wear the uniform because that sets them (schoolchildren) apart from the rest.

Fatin Nazira Mohd Nazri,16, from a school in Subang Jaya agrees with her.

“I think we should wear uniforms because it gives us a sense of identity,” she declares proudly.

However, if given the option, Intan says she prefers to wear something that is more practical.

“It will be great if we were given the choice to wear long pants instead of baju kurung or skirts, because not everyone wants to wear a skirt.”

“Wearing a baju kurung can sometimes be cumbersome and annoying as one has to sit in a feminine way. We also tend to be more self-conscious especially when we start perspiring,” adds Intan.

Her brother, Izat Azrin Khalil, 17, felt that tucking in shirts and having to constantly look neat, “takes up too much time”.

“Why can’t we just be given the choice of wearing shorts, bermudas or even jeans as they don’t really require ironing, instead of white shirts and proper pants?”

“The Khaki green pants and white shirts are too dull,” says Jeremy Johari adding that it is about time that the authorities come out with a new design for school attire that’s both comfortable and “funky”.

He has a formula for keeping his school shirts white — he does not eat in school, preferring to go home and have his meals!

From the parents

Shalina C. Nathan, 36, who briefly lived in the United States, feels that students look smart in their neatly- pressed uniforms compared to wearing normal attire.

She says that in many parts of the United States, people are clamouring for a school uniform policy to be instituted.

“Wearing school attire brings about a sense of pride to a child.”

“If local schools did away with uniforms, there will be students who will make school their ‘fashion turf’. Such behaviour can be quite distracting to the other students as these fashionistas tend to come in outlandish outfits and skimpy tops which are totally inappropriate for school.”

Parent Loh Siew Chin, 47, adds that uniforms in a way brings about a sense of camaraderie and solidarity and does not segregate students based on their family background or level of affluence.

After all studies have shown that uniforms have reduced the number of fights and violence in other countries.

“If there is no ruling on uniforms, there are bound to be students who will attend school in trendy wear or designer clothes, and who are obviously going to show them off at school.

“Those who can’t afford will be teased and intimidated and this could lead to other social problems,” says Loh.

Tan (not her real name) who is a primary school teacher, says it was about time the authorities reviewed the current school uniforms which have been in existence for about four decades.

She adds that while white shoes are compulsory, it is about time to change the rules and allow students the option of using black shoes too.

“In fact there are already parents who let their children wear black shoes to school although they know that it is against the school rules. White shoes are harder to maintain.” For Yvonne Yong, a 39-year-old mother of three, her responsibility is to ensure her children obey the school rules and dress accordingly. She has no issues with the current school uniforms. “The white shirts may get dirty easily. Since the dirt is visible on the whites, it is easier to clean them off.”

Steve Leong, who has two sons does not think that uniforms are necessary. However, he welcomes the fact that both his sons Marcus and Nicholas have inculcated some good values and habits as they have to polish their shoes every weekend.

Nur Fatihah Rafizi, 9, says she likes wearing her white and navy blue baju kurung uniform.

“I like my uniform this way, because it helps me tutup aurat (the covering of the body except the hands and face).

For games, I usually wear a white long-sleeved T-shirt, which is also appropriate attire.”

Siblings Yogen, 12, and Punithan, 9, say they look smart and take pride in wearing their school uniforms.

Without a mother to care for them, Yogen says he washes and irons both their uniforms, while his younger brother helps polish their shoes. “I don’t think such chores take up too much time because I’m used to it,” adds Yogen.

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