Young person’s commissioner backs schoolboy battling gender-specific uniforms

A SCHOOLBOY’S bid to end gender-specific school uniforms has won the backing of the commissioner for young people. A petition was lodged to the Scottish Government last year by 13-year-old Luca Scarabello.

The Public Petitions Committee is considering the proposals, which could see boys being allowed to wear skirts to school.

The country’s commissioner for young people, Tam Baillie, said the issue “raises some important children’s rights issues”.

School pupils are not obliged by law to wear a uniform, and neither schools nor education authorities have powers to compel parents to send their children to school in a uniform. But local authorities must have a dress code policy and headteachers can also ban certain garments.

Mr Baillie said gender specific uniforms, such as trousers for boys and dresses and skirts for girls could cause “serious distress” for pupils with gender variants.

He also said schools ought to review their uniform policies to make sure they don’t discriminate.

In January, he wrote to the clerk of the Public Petitions Committee, saying: “School uniforms and dress codes should not discriminate, directly or indirectly against any of these protected groups.

“I believe we should be celebrating difference, rejecting discriminatory practice and allowing our children and young people to express themselves freely in a way that is both inclusive and respectful.”

The commissioner also called for a debate on the St Mungo’s RC High School pupil’s proposals for uniforms to be “more comfortable, less physical-restrictive and more affordable”.

Mr Baillie said: “I agree with the petitioner that considerable time can be spent in enforcing compliance which has the potential to lead to resentment on the part of the pupil. This can distract from time which could be better spent in developing supportive learning environments.

“The suggestion of the petitioner to replace traditional uniforms with more comfortable and cheaper alternatives is one I that is worth discussing, but I would prefer to call for flexibility rather than a blanket ban on school uniforms. This would accommodate difference and reduce stigma.”

Education Secretary Mike Russell has previously said the issue is a matter for education authorities.