Uniforms could be coming to Peel public high schools
Posted November 9, 2015 6:40 am.
Last Updated November 9, 2015 9:59 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Uniforms could soon be a reality at public high schools in Peel Region.
The Peel District School Board met on Monday night and voted to approve school uniforms for schools where 75 per cent of parents vote in favour of them.
The vote came after the school board discussed a report from a uniforms pilot project.
The pilot project, where all students had to wear uniforms, started in May of 2014 at Central Peel Secondary School. The administration says they resulted in an improved climate at the school with fewer suspensions.
The board is being asked to make it easier for schools who want to implement them to be able to do so in time for the start of school in September of 2016.
There were some concerns that making uniforms mandatory at Central Peel would result in increased suspensions. However, the board says student suspension numbers were lower in 2014-2015 than the previous year.
In a survey conducted in March with parents, students and staff at the Central Peel found uniforms had a positive impact on the school.
Forty-eight per cent of students, 39 per cent of parents and 86 per cent of staff strongly agreed or agreed that the school image improved with uniforms. However, while 65 per cent of staff said uniforms helped to improve students’ self-esteem and positive behaviour, just 17 per cent of students and 31 per cent of parents agreed.
Parents didn’t save any money in the one year pilot-project. In fact, 52 per cent said they spent more money on clothes for their children since the introduction of uniforms. About a quarter, or 26 per cent of parents surveyed, found they spent less money on clothes for their children.
