School uniforms standardize what students wear so that school is not a place of jealousy and humiliation between rich and poor students. Uniforms make it easy to distinguish students and remind them to behave responsibly. While uniforms are often seen as limiting self-expression, they promote discipline, school pride, and student self-esteem. The document discusses arguments for and against school uniforms.

1. Should School Require Students to
Wear a School Uniform?
In some Western countries, there is no such thing as school uniform. The students just
wear whatever they like as long as appropriate to the norm to their school. But, this kind of
things does not happen in our country. Why? Questions like “Should school require
students to wear a school uniform?” have been put forward again and again. Based on what
we can observe now, the Ministry of Education does not have any desire to give any
changes to current system. This is because school uniform is important and it brings more
pros than cons. In any country, there are people come from roots of poverty as well as roof
of wealthy. If the school uniform policy is abolished, students from rich family may wear all
their fancy and exotic clothes to school which those students from poor family cannot afford.
In this situation, the differences of their family background are branded on the pieces of
clothe they wearing. The poor students may feel self-abased when their cheap and worn-
out clothes become laughingstock of other friends. Therefore, school uniform is here to
standardize what should a student wear so that school will not become a place full with
jealousy and humiliation. Furthermore, school uniform is the most remarkable identity of a
student. Different from university and college students, one can easily distinguish a school
student from the uniform. Wearing a school uniform makes one looks like a student. The
uniform they wearing can always make them bear in mind that should behave like what they
are suppose to be. This can makes them realise more about their responsibility as a
student. Hopefully, the students can feel more inspired when they are having uniform on
their body because that is the one which makes them special from others. Moreover, when
all the students wear uniform, the school will seemed to be more orderly and neat. Besides
that,, we should retain school uniform because it can train our students to be more
disciplined.
“The School Uniform Question”
Categorizing Arguments For and Against Wearing School Uniforms
Directions: With your partner, read the following statements based on the essay, “The School Uniform
Question.” Write the letter F if the statement is in favor (for) of wearing school uniforms, or A if the
statement is against wearing school uniforms. There is also a place for you to write your own reasons
either for or against wearing school uniforms.
______ 1. Requiring school uniforms would make it easier for students to dress on school days.

2. ______2. Requiring school uniforms would influence students to act responsibly as individuals.
______3. Requiring school uniforms would influence students to act responsibly in groups.
______4. Requiring school uniforms would save time for students to get dressed on school days.
______5. Requiring school uniforms would reduce the students’ stress about choosing school clothing.
______6. Requiring school uniforms would make all the students feel equal.
______7. School uniforms are often expensive.
______8. School uniforms are often made of uncomfortable material.
______9. Requiring school uniforms doesn’t allow students to express their individuality.
_____10. School uniforms often are of poor quality and do not last long.
_____11. Requiring school uniforms would promote school pride.
_____12. Requiring school uniforms would help build student self-esteem.
Open for Discussion
Directions: Discuss the following two questions in your group. As other students in your group share
their ideas, take notes about what they are saying as well as your own thoughts. Then as a group, write
a short summary of the interesting parts of your discussion. Decide who from your group will share your
summary with the rest of the class.
Questions:
1. Did you or someone you know wear a uniform when you were in school? What were the advantages
of wearing one? What were the disadvantages?
2. Some people believe that children are too materialistic these days. For example, they may be too
Interested in wearing brand-name clothes and shoes. What is your opinion?