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To: Paul Givan MLA
Uniform Choice NI
I want Paul Givan, as Education Minister, to make a clear, inclusive change to Northern Ireland’s school uniform guidelines — by ensuring that trousers are a permitted option for all pupils, regardless of gender.
This is a simple but meaningful change that would promote comfort, equality, and freedom of choice — especially in colder months — and bring Northern Ireland in line with the best practices already followed in other parts of the UK.
This is a simple but meaningful change that would promote comfort, equality, and freedom of choice — especially in colder months — and bring Northern Ireland in line with the best practices already followed in other parts of the UK.
Why is this important?
This is important because all children deserve to feel comfortable, included, and treated equally at school. Requiring girls to wear skirts while boys are allowed trousers reinforces outdated gender roles and can cause real discomfort — especially in cold weather.
It’s also about freedom of choice and respect for diversity. Some children come from cultural or religious backgrounds where skirts aren’t appropriate, while others simply feel more confident and able to participate fully when given practical options like trousers.
Across the rest of the UK, most schools already allow trousers for all pupils. It’s time Northern Ireland caught up. This small change would send a powerful message: that every child matters, and that our schools are places of fairness, dignity, and belonging for everyone.
It’s also about freedom of choice and respect for diversity. Some children come from cultural or religious backgrounds where skirts aren’t appropriate, while others simply feel more confident and able to participate fully when given practical options like trousers.
Across the rest of the UK, most schools already allow trousers for all pupils. It’s time Northern Ireland caught up. This small change would send a powerful message: that every child matters, and that our schools are places of fairness, dignity, and belonging for everyone.