School uniforms

January 13, 2010 - 5:37 PM by

It could be that all Israeli kids are all going to be donning uniforms next school year, if Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar has his way. The minister announced earlier this week that he’s considering mandating school uniforms in all elementary and middle schools.

Now, just know that school uniforms in Israel does not mean skirts and button-down shirts, or ties and jackets. It’s a much simpler affair, involving a tee-shirt with the school logo, usually in several colors and sleeve lengths, as well as sweatshirts with the same logo. When it comes to bottoms and shoes, they can wear whatever they want, they’re just tied to the crewneck tee-shirt part of the outfit for six days out of seven.

That said, I also know that many a school-age person is quite happy when they graduate from said uniform, and have the freedom to wear whatever they wish, whether it’s stripes, collars, polka dots or paisley. On one hand, uniforms can help instill values of equality and solidarity, although kids can find plenty of ways to show off their personalities through jeans and sneakers. On the other hand, I know from personal experience that having to buy a bunch of tee-shirts rather than scouring the stores for what the schoolkid deems appropriate is a lot easier.

It’s also a long time until next school year.

Tags: , , • Category: A New Reality, General, Israeliness, Life 

Comments

7 Comments on School uniforms

  1. Maskil on Thu, Jan 14th 2010 12:01 PM

    2. There is more to be said in favour of school uniforms than against, provided that uniforms are “uniform” across the entire school system. When each school insists on its own distinctive uniform, it immediately becomes an expensive proposition, with exclusive retailers, inflated prices, etc. The only difference permitted between schools should be a unique badge.

    School uniforms help to create a school spirit and to take the emphasis off socio-economic differences between classmates. A simple, widely used uniform can also reduce the financial pressure on parents of school-goers and can be a time-saver.

    Israel should definitely strongly consider the reintroduction of school uniforms, including optional “multi-form” items such as standardised wind breakers, track suits, etc.

  2. Esther on Thu, Jan 14th 2010 12:04 PM

    3. At my children’s primary school the T-shirt uniform is already mandatory.
    When they first went to school it was convenient to have school shirts but after a while it was annoying paying out my hard-earned shekels for cheap quality school shirts when the lovely tops friends& family had given my children were lying unused in the cupboard.
    And I put my foot down when their teacher suggested I should get school hoodies instead of their coats.

    Now in middle school there is no uniform and my daughter has become so proud of her clothes that , in stark contrast to the previous chaos, she keeps her clothes cupboard immaculately neat and tidy.

  3. Hannah @ A Mother in Israel on Thu, Jan 14th 2010 1:32 PM

    4. My kids have worn uniforms for years. Lately I see more and more schools requiring them.

  4. Maskil on Thu, Jan 14th 2010 4:11 PM

    5. Esther’s experience with the quality and price of school uniforms is common where each school is allowed to determine its own policy/uniform, and where the rights to manufacture/distribute the uniforms are given to a few privileged vendors. This is less likely to occur where uniforms are common across the entire country or school system, and where the manufacture/distribution of the items is thrown open to the market. The role of the education authorities is then limited to drawing up standards and specifications and monitoring the quality of the licensees.

    If it’s done right, there should be benefits for the parents, students and the education system. As in Esther’s case, your mileage may vary…

  5. David-Joe on Fri, Jan 15th 2010 2:37 AM

    6. Excellent idea.

  6. Ashley on Tue, Jun 29th 2010 5:53 AM

    7. My kids never had to wear school uniforms, but my grandchildren do. It seems to be becoming more and more common. It may help to blur the lines between the classes but I think kids are always going be very clicky.

  7. natalie on Sat, Aug 28th 2010 9:54 PM

    8. our children are required to buy the t-shirts with the school logo and my husband is dead set against it.

    Tomorrow is the first day of school and my children are complaining that they do not have the t-shirts, and they are afraid they are going to be sent home.

    My husband is against it because there is only ONE STORE carrying the shirts! What a joke! And, when I went there and asked to have them iron on the logo to my own t-shirts, they said, “you have to buy the t-shirts here.”

    the t-shirts, as Esther pointed out, are CHEAPY-CHEAP!!!

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