Don’t swap school uniform for sportswear

SO a report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee suggests schools should replace uniforms with tracksuits and sportswear. That shows how out of touch with the real world of children and teenagers they are. Such a change would mean more well-off students wearing expensive designer labels to show off. Uniforms act as a barrier to the blatant expression of class distinctions. Should this break with tradition be adopted, I hope it will apply also to the occupants of both Houses of Parliament, with Ministers and peers alike clad in sportswear. What rubbish they do talk.

MIKE CATTERALL, Accrington, Lancs

APPARENTLY, some parliamentarians think school uniforms should be replaced by tracksuits and trainers. Why is that? So a few pupils can flaunt their designer gear and embarrass the rest, whose families can’t afford it? Surely a social ‘level playing field’ was part of why uniforms were once encouraged, wasn’t it?

MAGGIE OWEN, Hockwold, Norfolk

AS A former teacher of teenage pupils, I am strongly in favour of school uniforms. There are obvious advantages: financial, lack of competition over appearance, the creation of a sense of belonging. I would further argue that teaching of the biological differences between the sexes should be appreciated, respected and valued. I’d suggest girls should wear skirts of at least knee length, and boys should remain in trousers and collared shirts, with blazers or gilets and headgear in matching colours. The students might grumble but school uniform can foster respect and pride.

PATRICIA DUNWORTH, address supplied

A HEAD teacher declares that his pupils can’t wear their school jumpers after Easter because they are not part of the summer uniform (Daily Mail). How stupid. There is never any guarantee that spring days will be warm – and being cold, shivering and miserable is hardly conducive to learning, which is why the children are at school in the first place.

WENDY DOEL, Winchfield, Hants