News Story

New guidelines will give girls the option to wear trousers in schools.

Education Minister Paul Givan said the revised guidance will allow girls to wear trousers as part of their uniform and also for PE and games.

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has described the decision as a “welcome but embarrassing U-turn by the minister”.

The guidelines are legally binding under the School Uniforms Act which came into operation earlier this year.

The Department of Education said the Act is designed to “help reduce the cost of school uniforms and ensure that affordability, comfort, practicality and sustainability are at the centre of school uniform policies”.

Mr Givan said: “I have listened carefully over recent months to young people and the message is clear: girls want the choice to wear trousers as part of their school uniform.

“There is always a balance to be struck between the autonomy of schools to determine their uniform policy and the level of prescription in departmental guidelines.

“However, this issue really matters to many young people.

“After careful consideration, I have therefore acted to remove any uncertainty for pupils, parents and schools.

“The revised guidelines will guarantee that girls have the option to wear trousers in every school.

“My department will continue to engage with and support schools as they implement the new requirements.”

The guidance states the policy will be enacted from 2027/28.

It states: “Schools are to include the option for girls to wear trousers as part of their uniform throughout the school year it is not a seasonal matter although trousers may provide greater warmth in colder months.

“Schools are also to include the option for girls to wear trousers as part of their PE/games uniform.

“This includes tracksuit bottoms, leggings, shorts, skorts or similar.

“If there is a particular reason a school seeks not to include trousers in the uniform design for team or individual sports, then a rationale for this needs to be provided and it is to form part of the consultation.”

Ms Mason said: “This is an important win for girls and for all those who campaigned for this simple choice.

“It is also a welcome but embarrassing U-turn by the DUP Education Minister.

“The DUP minister has, up to now, blocked this but Sinn Féin and campaigners kept pushing, and now he’s been forced to concede.

“The minister had the opportunity to guarantee this right in his own school uniforms legislation but failed to do so.

“It should not have required further legislation from the Education Committee to force movement on something so basic.

“Girls should have the right to wear trousers to school. It should never have been controversial and it should not have taken this long.

“We welcome that the minister has finally acted and will be watching closely to ensure he follows through and that girls are not let down.”

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows said it was a “common-sense outcome”.

He said: “The minister could and should have resolved this through school uniform guidance during the last Assembly session.

“Instead, he resisted and forced the Education Committee to legislate.

“His change of heart is welcome, even if overdue.

“I worked pragmatically to keep the legislation focused on the practical issue at hand, giving girls the choice to wear trousers, rather than introducing references to gender-neutral clothing.

“I listened to girls and supported change from the outset in the interests of choice, comfort and practicality.

“This is a positive outcome for girls, parents and schools.”