Official announces Philippine public school attire guideline

Manila: Public school students should not dress up to discriminate against the poor, the department of education said a few days after President Gloria Arroyo ordered that poor students should no longer be required to wear uniforms.

"Students are discouraged from wearing expensive signature or designer brands or flashy clothes, because this might discriminate poorer students," said Education Secretary Jesli Lapus.

"Students must not dress up just to elevate themselves because this would result in the unnecessary discrimination of students belonging to a lower socio-economic status," said Lapus, adding that "dressing up for school should manifest all the students social concern for the poor."

Tight-fitting pants, blouses, dresses, mini skirts, short shorts, blouses with plunging necklines, hip-hop pants for boys and sleepwear were also banned in school.

Boys were required to wear long or short pants, polo shirts, t-shirts with sleeves, of plain colour or with minimum prints. Girls were prescribed to wear dress, skirt and blouse, or blouse and pants, of any colour.

Students with existing uniforms should continue wearing them, said Lapus.

Apart from closed shoes, public school students were allowed to wear slippers and sandals.

Dressing up for school should promote "hygiene and proper school decorum," Lapus added.