Dress code option: Most Malaysian parents prefer that children stick to wearing school uniforms throughout the week.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian children aren’t ready to give up the age-old practice of wearing uniforms to school.
But these youngsters indicated that they would be happy if schools are not too strict with hairstyles.
A brief survey by The Star showed that they are not so keen to follow their counterparts in Bangkok, which has allowed 437 schools in the Thai capital city to wear casual clothes once a week.
(Besides the one non-uniform day a week that was announced by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration last month, these Bangkok schools were also told to relax the rules related to students’ hairstyles.)
“I am unsure if I like the idea about being able to wear casual clothes once a week because some could dress inappropriately, which can be disrespectful to others,” said Beanie Lee, 17.
Although she acknowledged that it seemed like a nice gesture to allow students to wear casual clothes, she felt that this could draw unwanted attention.
“But I do like it if they ease the regulations related to hairstyles. This is because some schools are just too strict with the length of your bangs or hair, which gets trimmed by the teachers,” she said.
Sameerah Muhammad, 13, said that being able to wear something casual once a week could create excitement about going to school.
She said that it could also boost self-esteem.
“School uniforms are not practical during hot days,” she said.
However, she was of the view that the move could create envy or competition among students, “especially among girls as they want to be seen wearing the nicest clothes”.
“But I do like the idea of being able to style my hair because it gets really unruly sometimes and school regulations are just too strict on this. I often get scolded for my natural, brownish hair,” she said.
Muhammad Luth Adam, 16, said being able to wear casual attire was not important for him or his friends.
Most boys, he said, aren’t that much into fashion.
“But if they allow us to style our hair, I would like it because nowadays, boys are into grooming,” he said.
As for Malaysian parents, most of them prefer that children stick to wearing school uniforms throughout the week.
Uniforms are about discipline and promoting a sense of equity where everyone is treated the same, said senior executive Afzam Adenan, 42.
“Parents and institutions, such as the schools and the governing bodies, should be given the right to decide, which are to be adhered to by kids, unless of course, the practice is against moral or cultural code,” said the father of four.
“It’s adults’ responsibility to nurture the children,” he added.
Senior supervisor Siti Norfazilah Ismail, 33, also preferred that children wear uniforms throughout the week to avoid problems to both the parents and the youngsters.
Furthermore, she said the school badge was a necessity as a form of identification.
“Otherwise, there can be a mix-up when children are picked up by the school bus because they don’t have the school badge to identify themselves,” she said.
The school uniform and badge were also important as a form of identification in cases of disappearances or abductions, she added.
Homemaker Astrid Lye, 40, said the current regulation allowing students to wear sports attire with the occasional casual clothes during special celebrations was sufficient.
“I think that is already enough. We don’t need another day to allow students to come in their casual clothing. They have all the freedom to do so when they are older.”
“Wearing casual clothing in class – if not done properly – may end up as an avenue that encourages competition for branding and styles,” Lye said.
In terms of freedom and respecting children’s rights, she said there were already choices given to them such as what stream to study and tuition classes that they wanted.
Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim also opted for status quo on student uniforms.
“While it may appear to encourage creativity and may even boost the local textile sector, city students are still largely urban poor. They may feel inadequate or deprived if the well-off students flaunt their excesses.”
“Let the ‘haves’ have their day outside of school hours,” she said.
“There are more pressing matters to be addressed such as the quality of education, the Teaching of the English language and the adequacy of DLP (dual language programme) classes,” she added.
