The importance of a school uniform

A school uniform is an attire worn by students mostly while going for studies. Most common school uniforms are characterised by white button-downs and ties for boys, and pleated skirts for girls, with both wearing blazers. A uniform can even be as simple as requiring collared shirts, or restricting colour choices and limiting items students are allowed to wear, among other features. “Every time I look at the way we are smart, unique, and presentable at school, it gives great pride in our school uniform. No doubt it greatly contributes to our everyday learning process at school,” says Aline Mutoni, a 12-year-old Primary Five pupil at George Fox Kagarama Primary School. The school uniform to many pupils is a basis of their friendship, discipline and equality. Putting on the same uniform makes them feel equal regardless of where they come from. On the other hand, pupils say having a school uniform helps them not to worry about how they look when they go to school because everyone looks similar. Teachers say that putting on the same uniform helps learners to concentrate on their studies more than their physical looks. They urgue that students would be distracted by what their colleagues are puting on, how cheap or expensive their clothes are, and this eventually would shift their focus from their academics to other things. For parents, it is certain that students puting on a school uniform comes with an advantage financially. “I usual buy my children a school uniform once or twice in a year, unlike normal clothes that you buy every month. This has helped me to save for other pressing needs,” says Alice Uwineza, a mother of three. Most importantly, learners say the school uniform gives them a sense of belonging and pride in their respective schools. When students go outside the school, they go with pride and always keep in mind that they are the ambassadors of their schools to the public because of what they are wearing. In other words their dress code portrays the image of the school. Children Times’ Dennis Agaba brings you some moments of pupils in their respective school uniforms.