Schools urged to cut back on ‘specialised’ uniforms

SCHOOLS have been told by the Government’s consumer watchdog to stop forcing parents to buy expensive uniforms.

But Tánaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan has refused to direct schools to avoid policies that restrict parents from getting the best value.

The Department of Social Protection has already paid out close to €60 million in allowances for uniforms and school shoes but looks likely to exceed its €82m budget as 1,000 applications arrive in every day.

The situation is different between schools as there is no standardised policy. Some schools have jumpers, tracksuits, sports gear and jackets which all carry the school crest and can only be bought from one supplier.

“We would urge all school managements to be sensitive to the monetary pressures which prescriptive requirements in relation to school uniforms can place on parents and to minimise costs where possible,” National Consumer Agency chief executive Ann Fitzgerald said.

The Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) has called on Ms Coughlan to intervene and direct schools against costly uniform policies but the minister told the Irish Examiner it remains a matter for each board, although she encourages them to be conscious of the cost implications of dress codes.

National Parents’ Council-Primary chief executive Áine Lynch said insisting on specialised schoolwear risks eliminating the equal status of all pupils that uniforms are supposed to create.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland, meanwhile, has hit out at publishers revising school books regularly and adding to costs for parents who would prefer to buy second-hand editions.

However, in response to calls for regulation of this area, Ms Coughlan said this too remains a matter for individual schools.