Debate contribution: School Uniforms: Right to Wear Trousers
Debate contribution by Mr Paul Givan on .
- MLA
- Mr Paul Givan
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 14 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- School Uniforms: Right to Wear Trousers
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5685737
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I outlined the direction of travel on that issue right from when we first debated it, which was to allow schools to take decisions based on respecting their autonomy but also to enable a much greater level of pupil participation. That requires schools to consult on their policy with pupils and parents and to reflect that consultation process as part of the final outworkings of their uniforms policy, which at its core has affordability and practicality. Any time that the issue was raised, I always made it clear that I supported the rights of girls and young women to wear trousers in schools, and I enabled through this process a much greater voice in the campaign for that right to which schools ought to listen. Therefore, my position has been clear, and I challenge any Member to find where I have said that girls should not be allowed to wear trousers to school. That is not the case.
Therefore, the direction of travel for me on this issue has been clear. We carried out a process to review the guidance over the summer, and, as I indicated when the legislation was passed, having guidelines, and a Minister who was then able to amend or add to them, was the most effective way to reflect any changes that would be taken forward. Having listened to the voices of young people, therefore, I decided that the guidance would be changed, and it now has been changed.
244 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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