Crisp shirts and pressed trousers.

The subject of school uniform is hotly contested, especially among the youth arena. Those who advocate this motion may solely argue that it provides a means of identifying pupils in public. However, the opposition may use the cost issue as their foothold against this motion. To draw a conclusion with this topic is going to be contentious either way, as both sides put to the table very favourable, bullet – proof and a compelling set of arguments.

Firstly and foremost, some people may claim that a uniform aids a student in appearing tidy and disciplined. This serves a key role of the school; to encourage tidiness and discipline. If one were to adopt a non-uniform regime giving the choice of freedom of dress, then pupils may express their individuality overwhelmingly. The reason why this is a problem is because many students may end up being extremely messy or flashy. This in turn launches another problem as many students are not in the right frame of mind for learning, defeating many aspects of their education. This statement is reiterated in the widely established fact that there is a strong connection between appearing smart and good behaviour, allowing them to thrive in their education – a chance freedom of dress may hinder.

On the other hand, the opposition does not deny the link between appearing smart and behaviour. However this is not a valid argument in this debate as many schools with a non uniform policy demand adequate standards of dress codes, such as forbidding short skirts. Therefore, this again counter’s the proposition’s argument as they do not appear too flash and consequently this is not a hindrance in their learning but merely an opportunity for them to express their individuality. Also by allowing them to choose their own clothes we are giving them more responsibility as they are making their own independent decision.

In contrast to this, when students are out in public (i.e. on a school trip), suppose a pupil is separated from the group. Is it more likely that they will be identified with or without uniform? Obviously the inevitable answer is of course with a uniform.

On the contrary, in actual fact one can infer that many schools do not demand uniforms on school trips, revealing a major flaw in what the proposition have said. This is because this argument does not stand as it simply isn’t true.

Likewise, the cost of uniforms are very high. This arouses two problems. Firstly it puts more of a strain on parents and secondly uniforms are futile as they only have use inside school.

In conclusion, after examining the issues of cost, and studying the pros and cons of school uniform, my mind has unanimously set itself in favour of uniform. This decision has been drawn on the grounds that uniforms improve student’s appearance and tidiness putting them in pole position for educational achievements.