Duterte’s ‘no school uniform’ proposal an existing DepEd policy

MANILA, Philippines – The proposal of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte to remove the mandatory requirement for public school students to wear school uniforms is already an existing policy of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo instructed then education secretary Jesli Lapus in 2008 to issue two department orders that removed the mandatory requirement for school uniforms in all public elementary and high schools.

“To increase school participation of all school-aged children, it is important to remove any and all obstacles, particularly financial, to their enrolment in public schools,” DepEd Order No. 45, Series 2008 read.

“The wearing of a school uniform shall not be required in public schools… Students with existing uniforms may continue using these uniforms, if they so desire, in order to avoid incurring additional costs for new attire,” it added.

The same order said identification cards shall be provided to students at no cost to them.

In another order, Lapus provided guidance on what constitutes proper school attire.

 “A student’s basic right to go to school, study and learn is of paramount importance and should be respected and promoted at all times. A student’s attire should reflect respect for the school as an institution for learning,” read DepEd Order No. 46, Series 2008.

 “A student’s attire should not become a cause for discrimination particularly for students belonging to a lower socio-economic status. Promoting physical hygiene and proper school decorum is part of the teaching- learning process in schools, thus a student’s attire and physical appearance should manifest learnings from this process,” it added.

The order suggested that the proper school attire may be polo or t-shirt and long or short pants for boys and dress, skirt and blouse or blouse or pants for girls.

Any footwear may be worn by students.

Students are discouraged from wearing expensive (signature or designer brands) or flashy clothes, tight-fitting pants/blouses/dresses, mini-skirts, short shorts, blouses with plunging necklines, hip-hop pants for boys, and sleepwear.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro reiterated the policy of non-mandatory requirement of school uniforms when he issued the revised guidelines on the opening of classes in 2012.

While there are those who support the idea, Netizens noted that the lack of school uniforms may be more costly as parents have to provide for the daily attire of children.

Others raised issues on security noting it would be more difficult to identify the students if they are wearing plain clothes.