Origins of ordinary things: School uniform

During the school term, no matter where you are, everyone can tell that you are a student. They can tell by your white shirt and khaki pair of trousers if you are a boy or khaki skirt if you are a girl. They can tell that what you are wearing is school uniform. Of course, different schools have different uniform colours and styles. Still, there is a certain unmistakable uniqueness and quiet dignity about school uniform that sets it apart from other types of clothing. You probably don’t even give school uniform a second thought before you wear it. It’s something that you and your predecessors in the education systemhave worn for millennia. In fact, the concept of school uniform is so old that according to historians, it dates back as far back as 1222. There is no clear record of the person who made the first uniform. According to ProCon.org, a website that addresses the pros and cons of controversial issues, the first school uniform was known as a “cappa clausa”-a robe-like outfit. It is said to have been put in place on the orders of the archbishop of Canterbury at the time. However, it wasn’t until the 16th that school uniforms made an ‘official’ appearance in Charity Schools. Charity schools were those that were set up to help children from poor and orphaned homes to attain education. This is according to an article by Jenny Scott on “School Uniforms: A history of ‘rebellion and conformity’” on the BBC website. In the article, Scott indicates that the first school uniforms were worn at a charity school called Christ’s Hospital Boarding School in London. The uniform comprised of long, blue trench-coat jackets. This was during the reign of King Henry VIII. The reason behind giving uniform to poor children in charity schools at the time, according to different articles, was to give them a sense of belonging and harmony. After charity schools, school uniform was worn in public schools in Britain. It was then spread to British colonies and other countries. In Rwanda, school uniform dates back to 1933 when the country became a Belgian colony and education was introduced. During the colonial period, education was only preserved for a privileged few. It was only for the affluent. Thus, donning a school uniform would definitely bring about admiration. As the education system became more inclusive, the significance of school uniform changed from an indicator of class to a sign of economic harmony. As a defense for school uniform, many school administrators have said that a school uniform brings about equality of students from different backgrounds. This is because essentially everyone wears the same thing to school every day and this counters the pressure to impress through clothes. Sometimes, school uniform may feel constraining, and the colours may be dull and its shape and length may be unflattering. But at least you know that people have worn it and made it out alive. Besides, school uniform is the most elaborate indication that the wearer is going through the process of enlightenment.

Education

Origins of ordinary things: School uniform