Against “loose, torn or revealing clothing”: The Federal Parents’ Council has spoken out in favor of clothing rules in German schools in order to spare parents discussions. The occasion is the debate about uniform clothing in France.
Anyone who is not properly dressed should go home. This is what the Federal Parents’ Council proposes, which has spoken out in favor of dress codes in schools. “We recommend that schools close a consensus on a dress code,” the organization’s chairwoman, Christiane Gotte, told the Funke media group’s newspapers.
Such a consensus should then also be included in the house rules. A violation would also have consequences. “Then you can send students home and ask them to dress properly,” explained Gotte.
dress code, to prevent discussion
Mostly it is about “inappropriate, loose, torn or revealing clothing”. Mothers in particular see an advantage in clothing rules in order to avoid morning discussions with their children. At the same time, the chairwoman of the Federal Parents’ Council conceded that a general dress code in schools would hardly be enforceable in the federal system.
The reason for the Parents’ Council’s initiative is the debate in neighboring France. President Emmanuel Macron recently spoke out in favor of uniform clothing there.
Teachers’ Association and VBE against school uniforms
The German Teachers’ Association rejects fixed rules. “Because of our history, we in Germany are geared differently towards freedom, self-determination and maturity. Finding a formulation that defines how long a T-shirt can be is hardly possible,” association president Stefan Duell told the Funke newspapers. The fact that clothing is more casual and no longer so formal “is a trend in society as a whole”. But it is also clear: “School is not a beach and not a club.”
The Association for Education and Upbringing (VBE) considers school uniforms and standard clothing to be an encroachment on the right of self-determination of parents and children, as Association Vice President Tomi Neckov said. On top of that, uniform clothing does not prevent social injustice. In addition, financially weaker households should not be additionally burdened with the purchase.