PETALING JAYA: The proposed standardisation of student uniforms in educational institutions will be implemented gradually, with a transition period for parents and guardians to prepare, says the Education Ministry.
In a response to The Star, the ministry said this would allow students to continue wearing their existing uniforms during the transition period, without requiring families to replace them immediately.
“Engagement sessions with stakeholders are ongoing to gather views and feedback regarding the proposed standardisation of student uniforms in educational institutions.
“Details regarding the policy, transition period and implementation date would be announced in advance through its official channels once the engagement and review process had concluded.
"The ministry is committed to ensuring that this implementation is well-organised, practical, and does not impose an additional financial burden on parents," it said.
The ministry also added that the engagement process aims to ensure that the proposed policy takes into account students' needs, parents' financial capacity, as well as the readiness of schools and suppliers.
On Jan 2, Education Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said that the ministry was planning to standardise school uniforms nationwide to reduce colour variations between schools.
He said the wide variety of uniforms could inadvertently create a sense of difference and competition among pupils instead of fostering unity.
A day later, the ministry clarified that the proposal was still under review, with a final decision to be made after examining all aspects of its implementation for the 2027 school year.
