Covid-19: NI schools 'should show flexibility' on uniforms

Northern Ireland's schools should be encouraged to show flexibility around relaxing rules on school uniforms as more pupils return to class, Peter Weir has said.

The education minister was asked by Ulster Unionist MLA Robbie Butler about the issue.

All primary school pupils will return on Monday.

Mr Butler said that children might need to wear warmer clothes due to the need to keep classroom windows open.

In a statement to BBC News NI, he also said "ill-fitting uniforms" would not be easy to replace so late in the school term while many parents are on "tight budgets".

Post-primary students in years 12 to 14 will also return on Monday, while those in years 8 to 11 will go back on 12 April, after the Easter break.

Mr Weir said changing uniform requirements was a matter for schools' boards of governors to decide directly.

"I think it is appropriate and I would certainly encourage them, although I don't have any power over that," he told the assembly on Thursday.

"This needs to be looked at particularly in a flexible manner, even on a short-term basis."

Mr Weir added there was a wider discussion about the direct requirements of school uniforms and their cost, which needed addressed in the long-term.

"Particularly as we look to the near future, there is merit in showing flexibility to schools around circumstances," he said.

In his statement, Mr Butler said the return to school would be a "relief" for parents, teachers and pupils but the need for schools to stay well ventilated in order to "fight against community transmission" created a possible problem with school uniforms.

"The aging school estate and unpredictable inclement weather pose issues for principals as they try to balance safety and a comfortable environment to reintegrate and educate pupils," he said.

"I have had many communications from parents and carers, both previously and recently, concerned that due to open windows in classrooms and the resultant temperature drop, their children would be warmer and therefore more comfortable in alternative clothing.

"There is also the challenge for some parents that with such short time remaining on the current school year ill-fitting uniform cannot be replaced due to tight budgets."

NI Children's Commissioner Koulla Yiasouma told BBC's the Nolan Show she "absolutely agreed" with Mr Weir's comments.

"I've no reason to believe schools won't be flexible," she said.

"There's been the issue with children being very cold in schools in order to facilitate increased ventilation, so I do expect schools to be flexible.

"We have to assume the 1,200 schools in Northern Ireland will take a common-sense approach - if they don't, my office is there to address any sort of concerns that parents may have around this is being implemented."

Dylan Quinn, a father of four and founder of the We Deserve Better campaign, told BBC Good Morning Ulster he wanted boards of governors to show more flexibility with the school uniform policy for at least the next three months.

"There's a £200 difference between full uniform kits from one school to another in the Enniskillen/Fermanagh area when you include PE kits," he said.

"We had to get two blazers which cost £90 each and that's just one item of the uniform.

"It's about governors now - teachers and principals have a lot to deal with coming up.

"This is where governors can step in and go 'actually lets provide a little bit of leadership… and show compassion for families so we can be a little bit more flexible' over the next three to four months of this very challenging year."