A+ for Minister Quinn on tackling school uniform costs

Louth Senator Mary Moran today commended Minister Quinn on his announcement that he is to invite education partners to engage with Department officials on decisions on school uniforms in their schools. This will include compiling a template questionnaire that schools can use to consult with parents on uniforms.

"As a mother, a former teacher, a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education, and Spokesperson on Education in the Seanad, the issue of school uniforms and their costs are something I engage with on a daily basis. Some parents find the cost of school uniforms beyond their reach, particularly when some schools demand that uniforms must be bought in certain shops and must have certain labels. This can be particularly distressing for many families, especially when virtually the same uniform may be bought in another shop at half the price.

I welcome Minister Quinn’s announcement today that parents will now be consulted and asked to voice their opinion through a questionnaire, giving their opinions on what type of uniform they would prefer.  The template questionnaire will be issued to schools by the end of this month and schools are to compile the ballots by the end of February. This will give the schools time to consider the parents' wishes before deciding on the uniform policy for the next school year.