Skirt or trouser option in schools should be a 'no brainer', say pupils

A Belfast student has said it's a "no-brainer" that pupils should have the option of wearing a skirt or trousers.

Olivia attends Victoria College in Belfast, where the choice has been part of uniform policy for a number of years.

There are already laws on school uniform in Northern Ireland, and the Education Minister Paul Givan said they give girls the legal authority to challenge their schools.

MLAs on the Education Committee, however, want to go further and are planning to bring forward a single issue bill so that all schools give girls the choice.

On Wednesday, the committee heard from members of Northern Ireland's youth assembly on the proposed Wearing Trousers in School bill.

The youth assembly members who spoke at the meeting backed the aims of the proposed bill.

Youth assembly member James Maginn said that change would allow "pupils to choose the option that best suits their comfort and ability to learn."

From the corridors of Stormont to the classrooms, young people have strong opinions.

"It's an archaic way to think, that women shouldn't be allowed to wear trousers in school," said Victoria College student Niamh.

"I think society is changing and the legislation needs to change with it."

The 17-year-old normally prefers a skirt, but said that depends on the weather.

"I would choose a skirt because I like the look of it," she said.

"It looks very well with the blazer - but I think it's also just if I'm really, really cold and the weather here is freezing. I think I would wear trousers."

"It depends on the student and what they're comfortable with and what their choice is," she added.

Meanwhile, Olivia has always worn trousers to school.

"I just find that I am more comfortable in a pair of trousers rather than a skirt," said the 18-year-old.

"I prefer how trousers look, it's more straight than a skirt that finishes at the knees."

She said after girls leave school they are given a choice to wear what they want to work, so why should the same not apply in an educational setting.

"I think it's good that a mandate is being put in place, however, I would say that it's unbelievable in this day and age that we would even need to have a mandate," she argued.

"It should be a no-brainer that we should have the option."

When Olivia was a junior pupil, she was one of a number of pupils who appealed to teachers to change the uniform policy.

"I think the school really took into account that there was a growing number of students that wanted to wear trousers," she said.

At Victoria College, the uniform policy is flexible so pupils can choose to wear trousers or skirts on different days.

Polly said she is thankful that her school listened to pupils who wanted to have the option of wearing trousers.

"The students have to wear the uniform every day and it's important that they are comfortable with what they're wearing," she said.

"If they're sitting in something that they don't feel confident in, they're not going to do as well in their classes or subjects."

The 18-year-old said she "always" wears a skirt as it is all she has in her wardrobe.

"I like the way it looks, and I've always worn one, but I understand where other students come from in the sense of warmth or comfort," she said.