Students to wear black shoes and socks by 2021

PETALING JAYA: From 2021, all school shoes and socks must be in black.

And the shoes must be made from canvas or synthetic material such as nylon and polyester which are highly-­absorbent and breathable.

The students’ comfort, safety and health must be taken into account, said Education director-general Datuk Dr Amin Senin.

The ruling is for primary and secondary students in government schools.

“Besides wearing black shoes, students must also wear black socks,” he said in a circular issued yesterday to division heads and state education directors.

On Oct 15, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said the socks’ colour would be decided after discussion with stakeholders.

Dr Amin said students were still allowed to wear white shoes till the end of 2020.

“Schools must not have regulations or force students to wear black shoes and socks during this transition period,” he said.

When approached at an event, Dr Maszlee declined to elaborate, saying as Dr Amin issued the circular, any question must be answered by him.

National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-­general Harry Tan said as long as parents were given a grace period, black shoes and socks were fine.

“The time given for parents to adjust is fair,” he said.

Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) chairman Mak Chee Kin expressed concern about the price of the shoes.

“How much will a shoe like that cost? Can everyone afford it?” he asked.

He said white socks were better for road safety, especially for students in the morning session.

Parent Rodney Teoh felt that black shoes and socks “blended” well.

“If children were to wear white socks, the insole of the black shoes will decolour and make the white socks look very dirty, making it hard to wash,” he said.