Cost of uniforms - Families deserve help

The old story of the varying costs of school uniforms becomes the focus of controversy at this time every year.

Individual school authorities are responsible for drawing up their own policy in relation to uniforms, according to Education Minister Mary Coughlan.

The Department of Education refuses to issue guidelines, with the result that different schools adopt very different approaches. The more cost conscious schools promote the recycling of uniforms in good condition in order to keep costs down.