Following VietNamNet’s report on Khanh Hoa’s new policy of standardizing uniforms across the province and highlighting the financial strain of multiple uniform types in various regions, many readers have shared their feedback and suggestions. 

Most of them say the practice of each school having its own uniform design, which often changes every few years, creates significant waste for families and society.

Ha An, a parent in Hanoi, said she was asked to buy two summer sets (short-sleeve shirts and shorts), two long-sleeve sets with long pants, one summer sports set, one winter sports set, and one jacket for her child, totaling over VND2 million, not including extra pants bought separately.

Ban Mai, another parent, shared a common struggle: “My child’s school requires two long-sleeve shirts, two short-sleeve shirts, one pair of long pants, one skirt, one vest, one jacket, plus summer and winter sports uniforms. The class also has its own uniform, and every event has a different design, filling the wardrobe with barely worn clothes.”

“What’s frustrating is that these brand-new clothes can’t be donated or reused because each school has its own style and its own logo,” she said. 

“Even siblings can’t share uniforms because designs and colors change every few years. My older child had white shirts with dark blue pants and a blue-striped jacket, but three years later, my younger child’s uniform has different sleeve patterns, cream-colored pants, and a green-striped jacket,” another parent added.

The parent noted that most parents spend VND1.5-2 million annually on uniforms, or even more than VND3 million, yet much of it goes unused.

Ngoc Kim expressed frustration: “Is this school or a fashion show? Why do they need so many clothes? Is it because tuition is free that schools find ways to charge through uniforms?”

Bach Nhat said: “Parents want simplified, flexible uniforms to save costs and enable donations or reuse for others.”

Beyond costs, many parents noted that uniforms lack practicality and are difficult to donate to students in need.

Parents also raised issues with uniform quality, saying fabrics are hot, non-absorbent, and either too tight or overly elaborate, causing discomfort for students all day.

Phan Huy Binh pointed out: “Kids wear uniforms 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. The design can be simple, but the material must be breathable. In many schools, the uniform fabric is terrible, stuffy like plastic bags. Kids come home sweaty, hair matted, faces flushed. It’s heartbreaking.”

One Hanoi parent said his child’s school requires three types of uniforms: red on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; white on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and sports uniforms for PE days. 

“The fabric is hot and stuffy, and we’re forced to buy the school’s uniforms. It’s hard to find better-quality ones outside,” he said.

Some parents, to save money or get more comfortable uniforms, buy clothes from stores and purchase logos separately or repurpose logos from old uniforms.

Single uniform design

Many parents have called for the standardization of uniforms at the provincial or national level. This would save costs and make donating or reusing uniforms more feasible.

Reader Le Thoai suggested: “The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) should standardize a single uniform design nationwide to ease the burden on parents, especially the poor.” He also argued that parent associations should not be involved in choosing uniform designs.

Oanh Nguyen agreed with this idea, citing Khanh Hoa’s simplified uniform model and urging: “I hope the Ministry of Education and Training issues clearer regulations like this.”

Parent Viet Linh agreed: “With a universal design, families could donate uniforms to less fortunate students, reducing waste.”

Parent Dung stated: “The ministry should take the lead in setting uniform standards for all schools to follow, as schools of equal standing struggle to make unified decisions.” He added that after administrative boundary changes in his area, his child’s preschool changed its name, leading to a complete uniform overhaul, including three types rotated weekly.

School uniforms aim to promote equality and build school identity. However, as Thuyen Bui noted: “Uniforms are good, but schools shouldn’t abuse them, putting difficulties for parents.”

Thuy Nga