COLUMNS – Secondary school uniform policy ‘controversial’ by Djuradj “George” Vujcic, Canadian journalist, writer and translator.
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Urban Book Circle® (UBC)
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Editor’s Note: This article was written by Djuradj “George” Vujcic as a grade twelve student at East York Collegiate Institute on March 3, 2010 and it was reviewed by Toronto Star reporter Nicholas Keung. The article was published in the 2010 edition of the Diaspora Dialogues Student Anthology.
A growing number of Ontario high schools have adopted a school uniform policy despite opposition from some students and parents.
This was the case at East York Collegiate Institute in 2002 when the school surveyed parents on its eventual decision to impose a school uniform on students.
“It’s been a constant battle providing conflict between staff and students,” said Esther Uhm, an EYCI librarian who has been with the school since 2000.
Opinions on the policy vary by ages.
“I hate it. You should be able to wear anything you want. I don’t like it but there’s no way to change it,” said grade 9 student Sanjana Mazumder.
Meanwhile, grade 12 student Ahsan Syed feels the uniform policy is a sound one.
“It’s a good rule. It makes students feel safe,” said Syed, who has been at the school for all of his four secondary years. “You just get up and put it on.”
There have been rule changes for skirts at many Catholic secondary school boards with some schools permanently ridding of the skirt.
“There has been a restriction in height level for the skirts at many Catholic schools. Schools are a respectable environment and our dress code should reflect that. But for me personally, the skirts don’t present a problem,” joked Syed.
In 2002, a survey marred with controversy was sent out to families. Those who didn’t partake and gave a “default” response in the survey were marked as “pro-uniform.”
“It has been a controversial issue between both staff and students,” says Uhm. “My thing with this issue is that there’s nothing uni-form about the uniform. It might build some sort of belonging but only to those complying. Freedom with the uniform has been offered at EYCI with many different types and varieties [of uniforms] but the policy is almost unenforceable.”
Syed says, however, that he is aware of the cons, not only the pros, of the policy.
“I can see why some would consider it ‘bad.’ People say it suppresses imagination or the right to express oneself. They say that the policy should be changed, that suggestions of what to wear should be offered – it definitely would make a lot of kids happier.”
The Parents Council is expected to revisit the policy at its next meeting and may bring another survey.
A growing number of Ontario high schools have adopted a school uniform policy despite opposition from some students and parents.
This was the case at East York Collegiate Institute in 2002 when the school surveyed parents on its eventual decision to impose a school uniform on students.
“It’s been a constant battle providing conflict between staff and students,” said Esther Uhm, an EYCI librarian who has been with the school since 2000.
Opinions on the policy vary by ages.
“I hate it. You should be able to wear anything you want. I don’t like it but there’s no way to change it,” said grade 9 student Sanjana Mazumder.
Meanwhile, grade 12 student Ahsan Syed feels the uniform policy is a sound one.
“It’s a good rule. It makes students feel safe,” said Syed, who has been at the school for all of his four secondary years. “You just get up and put it on.”
There have been rule changes for skirts at many Catholic secondary school boards with some schools permanently ridding of the skirt.
“There has been a restriction in height level for the skirts at many Catholic schools. Schools are a respectable environment and our dress code should reflect that. But for me personally, the skirts don’t present a problem,” joked Syed.
In 2002, a survey marred with controversy was sent out to families. Those who didn’t partake and gave a “default” response in the survey were marked as “pro-uniform.”
“It has been a controversial issue between both staff and students,” says Uhm. “My thing with this issue is that there’s nothing uni-form about the uniform. It might build some sort of belonging but only to those complying. Freedom with the uniform has been offered at EYCI with many different types and varieties [of uniforms] but the policy is almost unenforceable.”
Syed says, however, that he is aware of the cons, not only the pros, of the policy.
“I can see why some would consider it ‘bad.’ People say it suppresses imagination or the right to express oneself. They say that the policy should be changed, that suggestions of what to wear should be offered – it definitely would make a lot of kids happier.”
The Parents Council is expected to revisit the policy at its next meeting and may bring another survey.
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Secondary school uniform policy ‘controversial’
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· Short Story & Photographs: Djuradj “George” Vujcic / All rights reserved.
Copyright © Djuradj “George” Vujcic ·
Copyright © Djuradj “George” Vujcic ·
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Last updated on November 22, 2021.
Published by Urban Book Circle on November 22, 2021 Urban Book Circle® (UBC) |
· Photo of Samuel Beckett’s bookshelf in the study of his apartment at the Boulevard St Jacques in Paris
courtesy of John Minihan / All rights reserved 1985. Copyright © John Minihan ·
courtesy of John Minihan / All rights reserved 1985. Copyright © John Minihan ·
· Edited by Djuradj “George” Vujcic, Jefimija “Mia” Vujcic, Danijela Kovacevic Mikic,
Deidre McAuliffe and Prvoslav “Pearse” Vujcic ·
· Design & Artwork by Prvoslav “Pearse” Vujcic and Djuradj “George” Vujcic ·
· Illustrated by Sarah Riordan and Deidre McAuliffe ·
All rights reserved. Copyright © Urban Book Circle®
Deidre McAuliffe and Prvoslav “Pearse” Vujcic ·
· Design & Artwork by Prvoslav “Pearse” Vujcic and Djuradj “George” Vujcic ·
· Illustrated by Sarah Riordan and Deidre McAuliffe ·
All rights reserved. Copyright © Urban Book Circle®
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