Intro:

On Gulf News Facebook page readers were asked: ‘Should schools have uniforms or not? How does it affect the psyche of the pupil?’ Most readers said that school uniform promotes a sense of equality and discipline amongst students and leaves no room for competition and comparison based on wealth. However, some readers believe that students should dress casually to school at least once a week as this will help them develop a sense of fashion and also motivate them to go to school. We present a selection of views.

No complex, no competition

This is an excellent topic to debate on. Yes, schools should have uniforms because some students in schools might come from wealthy families and others from families struggling to pay the fees. If students were allowed to wear casuals in schools, the rich will wear expensive dresses that the poor might not be able to afford. Uniform makes sure that there is no complex or competition over the appearance of the child. Sometimes the complex can reach a level where it beings to effect the psychological balance of a student. But beyond all this, if students don’t wear a uniform to school, the school will look more like a picnic ground. Hence, I think a uniform is must for all schools.

From Mr Zahid Reza

UAE

Freedom

Discipline comes from understanding and encouraging development with patience. I think it is better to give students the freedom to be themselves. I don’t think that we need uniforms to maintain equality because if a student wants to show off and make other students feel a difference, he/she will do that regardless of if they are in uniform or not.

From Ms Marina Bertrand Elkhoury Helmgens

UAE

Money making

In my opinion uniform is a good idea, but I don’t think that schools use it for the right purposes. Schools use uniforms to make money, not to promote equality amongst students.

From Mr Hassan Bouzammour

Abu Dhabi

Once a week

In my opinion uniform is necessary but students should be allowed to dress casually on the fifth day of the week.

From Mr Syed Fahad

Sharjah

Design issues

I am a student and I’m okay with uniforms, but only if they look good. The uniform designers must keep in mind that students of different sizes and heights will be wearing the same design. Hence, they must design uniforms that suit everybody.

From Mr Sushmita Chowdhury

UAE

Easy to bunk school

Definitely yes! Students can easily go anywhere and mix in a crowd without a uniform, as people won’t be able to recognise that they are students. It will make it easy for students to abscond from school. Also, student’s minds will be occupied with fashion and they won’t be able to focus on studies. Lastly, a school uniform is an identity of a student that tells people about where they belong. It makes children look more presentable and disciplined.

From Ms Connie Dupla

UAE

Equality and discipline

I too am for uniforms in schools. Uniforms maintain equality and discipline in schools. The very term ‘uniform’ explains itself well. Furthermore, wearing anything other than the specified uniforms may come up as a reason behind unwarranted discrimination and inferiority complex among students. I understand, students feel it would be better to wear their own dresses to school, but we have to admit that there is a reason why uniforms were introduced. Schools are a place where rules have to be followed.

From Ms Shereen Mir

Dubai

No motivation

School should not have uniforms. Firstly, wearing a uniform makes one feel uncomfortable and surely does not motivate you to go to school. Secondly, this is not the generation to stick to uniforms.

From Mr Ceo Mikhail Fernandes

UAE

Balance style and studies

Uniforms are a symbol of unity and inculcate a feeling of oneness among the students, but at times it does kill a person’s individuality and hides the personality. But if I say that uniforms should not be compulsory, I fear that studies might no longer remain the priority of the students. Children might struggle prioritising learning over fashion. I think there needs to be a perfect balance between the two. Maybe, students should be allowed to dress in regular clothes once a week.

From Ms Beena Gurdasani

India

Fashion parade

Yes, uniform is a must, otherwise a school will look like a fashion parade ground. Also, dressing up every day will distract students from their studies.

From Ms Mala Anil

Dubai

What’s the focus?

Uniforms are important, just like prayer. In a school all students are equal. The focus in schools should be on education and friendship, not on fashion and social status. Having no uniforms will just create difference amongst students.

From Ms Debbie Miller

Dubai

Identification

A school uniform goes far beyond identifying the school the child belongs to. It is a part of discipline and more importantly it avoids discrimination between students based on what they wear. It brings a sense of equality amongst the students and avoids differentiation at a young age. The students don’t feel pressured that they are being judged by the others based on what they are wearing. Also, having a uniform makes sure that students are concentrating more on their studies, rather than discussing who’s wearing what and what they should wear the following day.

From Ms Sanjana Raheja

UAE

A mix of both

There is the public school ‘cool’ image from the US and the private school ‘stiff upper lip’ image from the UK. What we need is to find a good balance between the two. I agree that maybe children should have one or two mufti days a week. The school could set dressing limits and I am sure most children will follow rules if they want the mufti days to be permanent.

From Ms Bharathi Gururajan

Mumbai, India

No discrimination

Uniforms have a purpose. Schools have students from various cultures and backgrounds and from different strata of society. Uniforms unite students under one banner, regardless of their nationality, religion, ethnicity, culture and financial standing.

From Mr Javed Afridi

Dubai

Much better and relaxed

The junior and high schools here just implemented uniforms last year. My daughter was so picky that she would only wear one pair of pants. I saw a difference in her, she didn’t ask for clothes so much. I think it is better to start younger, especially here when there is so much focus on looks for young children. I was a teacher in the system and it cuts out a lot of conversation and distraction in the classroom. The only issue is that children can get their uniform anywhere and one can tell the difference between cheaply made clothes and good ones. I think it would be better to have them all come from the same place. My son stayed super relaxed in his senior year, last year.

From Ms Beth Ann White

Michigan City, Indiana

College and office uniforms

Uniform means equality. Not all parents can afford good dresses for their children every day. If schools don’t have uniforms, those students who are mocked have a very different psyche from his or her early days. Being mocked based on clothes will take away from their confidence. It might also lead to a negative emotion towards parents. Students will think about money and fashion all the time. This will not be good for our society. I think even colleges and offices should have uniforms, so that everyone is equal.

From Ms Bint E. Shehwar

UAE

No uniformity

Sadly very few students in Dubai take pride in the uniform they wear. Shirts hang out, they mix sweaters and tights of any type during colder days, often the uniform is not ironed and dirty, or it doesn’t fit well. If there is to be a uniform, it should be worn properly and with pride. Otherwise they may as well not wear one at all.

From Ms Elaine Belcher

UAE

Identity

Students in uniform can be easily identified in cases of emergency. Hence be given the first priority by the rescue team. It also increases pupils’ concentration in the class as they won’t think about their own or others’ looks and outfits. Designs that may be considered illicit by some parents can be easily evaded by common uniform.

From Mr Moome John Bosco

UAE

Develop fashion sense

What if there is a dress code and students are allowed to express and choose what one likes to wear. School is a place where a pupil’s basic sense of fashion and dress code is developed. In today’s world this is important, too. I am against uniforms.

From Mr Suresh Raghav

Dubai

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