As if on cue, parents across New Zealand are starting to raise concerns about the price of compulsory school uniforms ahead of the start of the new school year. The cost of new uniforms can range from around NZ$80 to over $1,200 for a single student.
This is a big upfront investment, followed by the ongoing costs to replace worn-out or small items.
Yes, school uniforms are an investment in clothing that lasts for multiple years and can be cheaper in the long run than ordinary clothing. But it’s hard to apply this investment mindset during a cost-of-living crisis.
Our ongoing research examines uniforms and equity in New Zealand and includes interviews with school leaders and students across three schools.
Irrespective of a school’s equity index rating (formerly decile), the school leaders we interviewed said uniform cost was raising concerns.
Our survey of students in one school in a higher socioeconomic area found nearly 20% of the 630 respondents worried about whether their parents could afford their uniform. Across three surveyed schools, most staff knew students who weren’t able to afford some items.
Staff in our survey reported balancing the benefits of having a “uniform” body of students against creating a barrier to education through high garment costs.
So what can be done to ensure students experience the benefits of school uniforms without added pressure on struggling families? Turns out, there are international examples that can guide us.
Costs and community expectations
Debates are never just about the uniform itself. Politics, power, class and tradition can influence decisions about compulsory garments.
Evidence shows any well-designed uniform can help students settle and remove classroom distractions. Students are physically comfortable, active, feel like they fit in and are be ready to learn.
But there is a persistent belief that a formal blazer and tie is somehow better than a simple uniform, even though there is no evidence the type of school uniform directly influences academic achievement.
Who decides a school’s uniform?
In New Zealand, school boards determine uniform garments and rules.
From an ethical standpoint, boards should ensure that school uniforms don’t create an undue cost barrier to education.
Obviously boards cannot control the cost of raw materials from which uniforms are made. But they can control adherence to Commerce Commission guidelines on school uniform and supplies, and their school’s list of compulsory school uniform items.
New school uniforms are usually purchased from specialist suppliers, directly or via the school. In New Zealand there exists a broad choice of suppliers, from large corporates to small family businesses.
But maintaining real and competitive choice depends on competition in and for the market. And it is here where schools can have a real influence on price by adhering to the Commission’s guidelines.
This includes conducting a regular review of the schools’ uniforms and having a mix of suppliers – ideally avoiding problems of sole-supplier or “evergreen” arrangements.
Taking a proactive stance
Relying on best practice and guidelines is not enough to ensure everyone can afford and access school uniforms. The rules don’t appear to be proactively monitored and rely on complaints from the public.
Instead, it’s time for the government to intervene more to improve access to uniforms and education.
To ensure the supply process is as fair as possible, the government could follow international examples and introduce legislation on best practice.
The United Kingdom’s Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021 outlines what schools must consider in their uniform policies and supplier arrangements.
Under this legislation, most uniform items should be available from any shop, not just specific retailers.
While not a silver bullet, such legislation creates a hook for authorities to check and monitor school uniform cost and policy. The law also gives the government a baseline understanding of uniform cost and composition in the UK.
Supporting NZ families with uniform costs
There are several steps the New Zealand government could take when it comes to school uniforms, including making subsidies for uniform costs more accessible and less bureaucratic. The government could legislate state funding of school uniforms for high-need students.
Currently low-income families have to take out what are essentially loans from Work and Income New Zealand. This then places pressure on these families to survive on less income while paying the loans back.
The government could also establish a national uniform bulk buyer – similar to the national drug-buying agency PHARMAC. But while this would be a pragmatic approach to the issue of school uniform cost, it may not be widely supported.
That said, what governments decide to do depends on who bends the ear of power. Everyone with a stake in this issue – students, schools, teachers, charities and communities – needs to contact their local politicians to ensure they are aware of the issue and the possible solutions.
At the school level, boards should have a detailed uniform policy that supports human rights and reflects school values. But this policy needs to be transparent and adaptable, with a detailed review process.
Schools also need to periodically check their uniform still serves student and community needs, including number and cost of compulsory items (for example, whether blazers are necessary and whether all items have to be monogrammed), or whether the school decides to fund uniforms to meet student need.
Regardless of the approach, let’s address school uniform cost head on so we can optimise investment in students’ education.
Johanna Reidy, Lecturer, Department of Public Health, University of Otago. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article
Our ongoing research examines uniforms and equity in New Zealand and includes interviews with school leaders and students across three schools.
Irrespective of a school’s equity index rating (formerly decile), the school leaders we interviewed said uniform cost was raising concerns.
Our survey of students in one school in a higher socioeconomic area found nearly 20% of the 630 respondents worried about whether their parents could afford their uniform. Across three surveyed schools, most staff knew students who weren’t able to afford some items.
Staff in our survey reported balancing the benefits of having a “uniform” body of students against creating a barrier to education through high garment costs.
So what can be done to ensure students experience the benefits of school uniforms without added pressure on struggling families? Turns out, there are international examples that can guide us.
Costs and community expectations
Debates are never just about the uniform itself. Politics, power, class and tradition can influence decisions about compulsory garments.
Evidence shows any well-designed uniform can help students settle and remove classroom distractions. Students are physically comfortable, active, feel like they fit in and are be ready to learn.
But there is a persistent belief that a formal blazer and tie is somehow better than a simple uniform, even though there is no evidence the type of school uniform directly influences academic achievement.
Who decides a school’s uniform?
In New Zealand, school boards determine uniform garments and rules.
From an ethical standpoint, boards should ensure that school uniforms don’t create an undue cost barrier to education.
Obviously boards cannot control the cost of raw materials from which uniforms are made. But they can control adherence to Commerce Commission guidelines on school uniform and supplies, and their school’s list of compulsory school uniform items.
New school uniforms are usually purchased from specialist suppliers, directly or via the school. In New Zealand there exists a broad choice of suppliers, from large corporates to small family businesses.
But maintaining real and competitive choice depends on competition in and for the market. And it is here where schools can have a real influence on price by adhering to the Commission’s guidelines.
This includes conducting a regular review of the schools’ uniforms and having a mix of suppliers – ideally avoiding problems of sole-supplier or “evergreen” arrangements.
Taking a proactive stance
Relying on best practice and guidelines is not enough to ensure everyone can afford and access school uniforms. The rules don’t appear to be proactively monitored and rely on complaints from the public.
Instead, it’s time for the government to intervene more to improve access to uniforms and education.
To ensure the supply process is as fair as possible, the government could follow international examples and introduce legislation on best practice.
The United Kingdom’s Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021 outlines what schools must consider in their uniform policies and supplier arrangements.
Under this legislation, most uniform items should be available from any shop, not just specific retailers.
While not a silver bullet, such legislation creates a hook for authorities to check and monitor school uniform cost and policy. The law also gives the government a baseline understanding of uniform cost and composition in the UK.
Supporting NZ families with uniform costs
There are several steps the New Zealand government could take when it comes to school uniforms, including making subsidies for uniform costs more accessible and less bureaucratic. The government could legislate state funding of school uniforms for high-need students.
Currently low-income families have to take out what are essentially loans from Work and Income New Zealand. This then places pressure on these families to survive on less income while paying the loans back.
The government could also establish a national uniform bulk buyer – similar to the national drug-buying agency PHARMAC. But while this would be a pragmatic approach to the issue of school uniform cost, it may not be widely supported.
That said, what governments decide to do depends on who bends the ear of power. Everyone with a stake in this issue – students, schools, teachers, charities and communities – needs to contact their local politicians to ensure they are aware of the issue and the possible solutions.
At the school level, boards should have a detailed uniform policy that supports human rights and reflects school values. But this policy needs to be transparent and adaptable, with a detailed review process.
Schools also need to periodically check their uniform still serves student and community needs, including number and cost of compulsory items (for example, whether blazers are necessary and whether all items have to be monogrammed), or whether the school decides to fund uniforms to meet student need.
Regardless of the approach, let’s address school uniform cost head on so we can optimise investment in students’ education.
Johanna Reidy, Lecturer, Department of Public Health, University of Otago. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article
8 comments:
you don't need any of this regulation. govt should simply ask schools to prescribe a few basic colours that people can buy from any shop (the thrifty ones would simply use warehouse).
more saddening is the fact that schools don't participate in voluntary donation/exchange of uniforms within families. it just takes a few yr13 students studying business to arrange a trade for a fee at the beginning of the school year. but schools can't allow that today as their tuck shops would run out of business :(
In defense of school uniforms they help prevent bullying which can start when some pupils go to school in expensive items, say trainers, which others cannot afford.
Home school. Save money and teach your child critical thinking skills, which are destroyed in Government indoctrinated public schooling masquerading as education.
Maybe people shouldn’t have children if they can’t afford them….
Agree that people should not breed if they can’t afford the consequences…
The patterns for the various items should be made available on loan by schools and the fabric bought in bulk and available at cost price. The uniform could be smart looking but also of simple design such that anybody with some dress making skills could make them. Pupils could perhaps assemble the garments in sewing classes where applicable. Volunteers could also make them.
In the 1960s junior secondary girls made their own cooking aprons for cooking classes.
In the 50s grandparents and others knitted school cardigans for pupils.
Considering that uniforms contribute nothing towards academic achievement they should not be given too much status, time or money.
In my primary school days the school with a uniform had the very lowest academic standards. Bullying was rife.
Some very valid points and commentary but, personally, I get more motivated about what they're teaching at school than what they requiring kids to wear.
And, as others have indicated, if you can't clothe and feed them, you really shouldn't be having them. Which, ironically, all comes back to education and personal responsibility.
After computers, school lunches, now uniforms, is the next call for Govt assistance and support to be school bags and transport? Then it will be a call for personal coaches and mental health aides, given the increasing number failing achievement markers.
barring most of the professional beggars in tourist places, there is a sense of shame in most of the 3rd world when begging for stuff from the govt, religious institutions or charity - and a sense of gratitude when anything of value is received. maybe the west should consider de-destigmatising begging in any shape or form...
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