Public being asked for views on whether school uniform prices should be capped in Northern Ireland

The education minister Paul Givan announced the move today.

In a statement he said: “I am clear that my overarching aim is to ensure that all school governing bodies put affordability, comfort and sustainability at the centre of their decision-making when they set their school uniform requirements.

“School uniforms play an important part in the engagement of pupils with their school.

"I recognise that many schools in Northern Ireland follow the existing guidance and work hard to keep the costs of school uniforms as low as possible.

"However, I know that some schools continue to have uniform policies where certain items are expensive or restrictive in where parents or carers can buy a uniform.

“At a time of growing pressure on family budgets, the cost of a school uniform should not be a factor that parents or carers need to consider when selecting which school they wish their child to attend. I want to create a system where schools, supported by appropriate legislation and policy, will ensure that their uniforms are affordable for all.”

“I encourage as many people as possible to give their views and feedback on the consultation proposals in order to shape final policy proposals and legislation on this important issue.”

The department is also proposing a set of principles to underpin school uniform policy, namely that uniforms should be:

Affordable, comfortable, sustainable, and that school uniform policies should be “developed in partnership with pupils and their parents/ carers, published and regularly reviewed”.

The document can be accessed on the department’s website.