The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), in its legal documents, clearly stipulates that students do not have to buy new school uniforms for the new academic year. They are only required to wear clean and tidy clothes. The regulation aims to encourage thrift and lessen the burden on the poor.

However, in fact, all students have to buy new school uniforms when new academic year begins.

Different schools have different uniforms, depending on the schools’ history and students’ preferences. However, uniforms at all schools are getting more modern, convenient and beautiful. At some schools, female students wear skirts, while male students wear a tie.

A secondary school headmaster in Hanoi said uniforms create a beautiful and civilized educational environment. In addition, uniforms also create an equal learning environment for students with different conditions. Besides, uniforms allow schools show their specific styles and prevent students from wearing inappropriate clothing.

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), in its legal documents, clearly stipulates that students do not have to buy new school uniforms for the new academic year. They are only required to wear clean and tidy clothes.

However, buying uniforms for children is a headache for parents. H.L.A, a parent in HCMC, who has two children in secondary school, complained that she has buy three sets of uniform for each child, which is a relatively high expense for her family.

These include uniforms for ordinary days, uniforms for physical education lessons and day-boarding uniforms. All the uniforms are prepared by a company which signed a contract to supply uniforms with the management board of the school.

She also complained that the clothes are made of low-quality materials, and are expensive compared with market prices.

“One set of uniform is priced at VND200,000-275,000, while the material doesn’t deserve the price. Sport suit needs to be sweat-absorbing, but it is made of thick fabric which makes it inconvenient for physical exercises,” she said.

A parent in Hanoi has also complained about the uniform of her 10-year old daughter.

“Uniforms get wrinkled just after one lesson. The design is bad. In modern times, many female students enter the puberty period when they enter the fifth grade. The shirts are made of too thin fabric, which us inconvenient,” she commented.

Meanwhile, a parent in Cau Giay district criticized the regulation that students have to go to school in uniform.

“A funny regulation,” she commented, “especially for high school students, who are 18 years old and have the right to decide what to wear. ”

“Why don’t we let them (students) wear what they want? I appreciate free style, which allows students to show their personality,” she said.

Linh Ha 

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